🍌 Banana Pudding Ice Cream
Banana pudding is one of my all-time favorite desserts, so of course I had to figure out how to turn it into ice cream. The combo of creamy banana custard and chunks of Nilla wafers is pure magic. It’s like a frozen banana pudding cup you can scoop into a bowl (or straight from the container, no judgment). The best part? You don’t need anything fancy beyond your ice cream machine, and you can easily tweak it depending on what you’ve got in the pantry.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ripe bananas → The spottier, the sweeter. They’ll mash up perfectly and give you that true banana pudding flavor.
- Save some cookies for crunch → If you stir in all the wafers, they’ll soften. Reserve a few to crumble over the top just before serving.
- Shortcut hack → Don’t want to make custard? Fold a few spoonfuls of instant banana pudding mix into the cream base. Not traditional, but crazy good.
- Storage tip → Press wax paper or plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream before freezing to keep ice crystals away.
- Serving idea → Layer scoops with whipped cream and extra wafers in a parfait glass for a full-on “banana pudding sundae.”
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch helps thicken
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup Nilla Wafers roughly crushed
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Heat over medium until it just starts to simmer and slightly thickens.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Let cool completely — chilling in the fridge 2–3 hours is best.
- Pour chilled mixture into your ice cream machine and churn according to manufacturer’s directions.
- When the ice cream is nearly done, add crushed Nilla Wafers and churn just until mixed.
- Transfer to a freezer container, press wax paper/plastic wrap on top, and freeze at least 2 hours to firm up.
- Scoop and serve with whipped cream and extra wafers for the ultimate banana pudding vibe.

