Chocolate Banana Pudding

Chocolate Banana Pudding puts a delicious twist on a beloved Southern classic. Layers of rich homemade chocolate custard, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers come together in a creamy, dreamy dessert that’s downright irresistible. Top it with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of grated chocolate for a simple finishing touch that makes every bite extra special.

Easy Chocolate Banana Pudding Recipe

Classic banana pudding comes in many delicious forms, but my love for it started with the old-fashioned Southern version I grew up eating. Layers of homemade vanilla custard, bananas, and ‘Nilla wafers topped with fluffy meringue had me hooked from the very first bite. That lifelong love has inspired plenty of banana pudding variations over the years, and this Chocolate Banana Pudding is one of my favorites.

I had so much fun giving this beloved Southern classic a chocolate twist. It’s a wonderful choice for Sunday dinners, family gatherings, holidays, and potlucks when you want a dessert that’s familiar enough to feel like home but unexpected enough to get everyone talking. Rich chocolate custard layered with bananas and vanilla wafers makes this one downright irresistible, and I promise, folks will be going back for seconds.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Chocolate Banana Pudding: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• Vanilla Wafers – One box vanilla wafers plus additional as needed for the top.
• Fresh Bananas – Sliced banana is the star of banana pudding.
• Chocolate – Bittersweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a chocolaty flavor.
• Butter – Salted butter or unsalted butter for richness.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar (white sugar) for sweetness.
• Liquid – Half and half thins the egg custard.
• Eggs – Large egg yolks stabilize the homemade chocolate custard.
• Salt – Salt helps balance the flavor.
• Thickener – Cornstarch is used to thicken the texture of the chocolate pudding.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract adds creamy floral notes.
• Cool Whip – One large tub of whipped topping. 1 16 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
• Chocolate Bar – Grated chocolate to sprinkle on top.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Pudding Recipe

• Melt Chocolate – Melt the chocolate chips butter in a double boiler over simmering water until smooth or in the microwave.
• Egg Mixture – Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt with beaten yolks.
• Heat Half and Half – Pour half and half with remaining butter into a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until the butter has melted and the half and half is hot, don’t boil.
• Combine – Whisk the sugar-egg mixture into the half and half then bring to a boil. Immediately, lower the temperature to medium to prevent scorching, whisking constantly for 1 minute after thickened.
• Add Chocolate to Egg Custard – Remove from the heat and whisk in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Pour into a glass bowl, and press plastic wrap directly on top of the chocolate custard to prevent a film from forming then chill.
• Assemble Banana Pudding – Layer of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas and chocolate custard until all ingredients have been used.  
• Whipped Cream – Frost top and decorate as desired.
• Refrigerate – Chill for at least 4 hours. 

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chocolate Banana Pudding Recipe

• Large trifle bowl or glass bowl.
• Large saucepan.
• Balloon whisk.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Knife and cutting board to prep the bananas.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Chocolate – You can use semi sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips.
• Half and Half – You can use heavy cream for an even richer flavor. Likewise, you could use whole milk.
• Cookies – You could use another variety of cookies in place of vanilla wafers. Create layers with chocolate cookies, Biscoff cookies or Chessmen cookies.
• Use a Large Bowl – To make this dessert as pictured, you’ll need at least a 3 or 4 quart glass bowl or trifle bowl. When in doubt, go bigger so you can use all of the ingredients.
• Alternate Dish – If you choose to make this in a 13×9-inch dish, you will need to reduce the vanilla wafer, chocolate custard and banana layers to 2 instead of 3 as pictured. Use all of the whipped cream on top.
• Extra Ingredients – No two banana puddings look alike, so have extra bananas and vanilla wafers on hand just in case they’re needed. I like the look of standing vanilla wafers around the edge but, if you’re using a bowl where the layers aren’t visible, you can improvise that step
• Chill Time – Allow apple chill time in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly for the custard to set.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover Chocolate Banana Pudding covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – While I don’t recommend making banana pudding 1-2 months in advance of serving it, you can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge just before serving.

More Southern Trifle Recipes to Make

• My Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle is a viral Pinterest sensation.
• Irresistible fresh fruit filled Punch Bowl Fruit Salad Trifle for baby and bridal showers or warm weather soirées.
• My magnificent Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle with layers of cake and sweet cream cheese is worthy of  the holidays or any special occasion.
• Boston Cream Doughnut Trifle is super simple to make layered with chocolate ganache, doughnuts and vanilla pudding.
• My fun Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle  recipe proves you don’t have to wait until your birthday to have birthday cake.
• Easy Blueberry Cheesecake Trifle is simply heavenly.
• Fresh Orange Trifle from Food Network.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Trifle Bowl