I have not made this yet, but had it when a friend made it, and it was yummy!
- Carbohydrate 140.9662 g
- Cholesterol 1.36571428571429 mg
- Fat 3.28175 g
- Fiber 0.657428547314235 g
- Protein 1.18697142857143 g
- Saturated Fat 2.60456385714286 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (195g)
- Sodium 2046.06014285714 mg
- Sugar 140.308771452686 g
- Trans Fat 0.207734 g
- Calories 596 calories
Step-by-step
- Pour milk into large bowl.
- Add dry pudding mixes.
- Beat with wire whisk until well blended.
- Let stand 5 minutes.
- Arrange half of the wafers on bottom and up side of 2-quart serving bowl.
- Add layers of half each of the banana slices and pudding.
- Repeat all layers.
- Spread whipped topping over pudding.
- Refrigerate 3 hours or until ready to serve.
The Chemistry of Setting Instant Pudding
Instant vanilla pudding mix relies on modified food starches that hydrate rapidly when cold milk is introduced, forming a dense gel network within five minutes of whisking. Whisking thoroughly ensures that pockets of dry powder do not remain trapped, which would otherwise create a grainy mouthfeel in the finished dessert. When combining the ingredients, use whole milk rather than skim varieties to provide the necessary fat content that yields a richer mouthfeel without adding expensive specialty dairy items to your grocery list.Managing Texture and Moisture Transfer
Layering crisp wafers and fresh fruit introduces distinct moisture gradients that shift significantly over a three-hour refrigeration window. As the dessert sits, moisture from the pudding migrates into the cookies, softening them into a cake-like consistency while excess exposure to air causes sliced bananas to enzymatic brown. To prevent discoloration, toss the sliced fruit in a minimal amount of citrus juice before assembly, or ensure the whipped topping creates a complete airtight seal over the top surface. Freezing this specific dessert is generally discouraged because the thawed pudding breaks down and releases liquid, resulting in a watery dish that destroys the structural integrity of the layers.Efficient Make-Ahead Planning
Assembling this dessert up to twenty-four hours before serving allows the flavors to meld properly while keeping ingredient costs strictly controlled through bulk purchasing of shelf-stable boxed mixes and bulk wafers. Store the assembled bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly against the whipped topping surface to prevent condensation from forming inside the refrigerator. Portioning the chilled dessert into individual glass jars immediately after the initial three-hour setting period creates convenient grab-and-go servings that maintain their structural layers much better than scooping from a communal dish.
