Manhattan-based confectionary Magnolia Bakery has been selling colorful cupcakes since the original location opened on Bleecker Street in New York City's West Village neighborhood in 1996. The bakery's take on banana pudding proves to be almost as popular as its famous cupcakes, and you may not guess that it uses instant pudding.

Head chef Bobbie Lloyd stands firm in her belief that you can't recreate the light and fluffy texture of instant pudding with homemade custard or whipped cream. The famous banana pudding is made with vanilla instant pudding, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, bananas, and Nilla wafers.

If you want to make a real commitment to the famous pudding, you can buy into Magnolia Bakery’s pudding of the month club, which has specialty seasonal pudding flavors delivered right to your doorstep. You can also buy banana pudding cookies with white chocolate chips and even a gluten-free version of the classic treat online or in-store.