How to make an easy banana pudding with cream cheese, Cool Whip, and Nilla Wafers. Best no bake dessert, perfect for a crowd, quick and simple recipe!
My mom always made this amazing no bake banana pudding when we were growing up. We always looked forward to dessert when we knew she had this waiting in the fridge.
Mom's banana pudding recipe is a lot like Paula Deen's Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding, only we don't add sweetened condensed milk. We also use vanilla wafers (or sometimes graham crackers) instead of butter cookies.
Personally, I just don't see the need for the added sweetness of condensed milk, especially when it's sweet enough and yummy enough without it.
There really is nothing like a good banana pudding with cream cheese.
It's an easy no bake dessert you can make and enjoy any time of year, especially in the summertime when you don't necessarily want to turn on the oven and heat up the house. It makes the best summertime potluck dessert next to my no bake lemon icebox pie!
And it's the best banana pudding for a crowd because it makes a whole 13″x9″ dish of creamy dreamy pudding. I love this recipe!
If it's a cooked version you're craving, old-fashioned banana pudding is just the thing.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?
If you’d rather skip all of my tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
WHAT IS BANANA PUDDING?
Banana pudding is a layered dessert with vanilla pudding or custard, sliced or smashed bananas, vanilla wafers (or butter cookies or graham crackers), and whipped cream or meringue.
Some recipes require baking, and some even have meringue on top, almost like a pie, but without the crust.
You can put it in a large trifle dish, or you can make individual layered desserts with mini trifle dishes. If you're making a baked pudding, you'd generally use a baking dish.
TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE BANANA PUDDING
I'll walk you through the steps of how to mix up this no bake pudding. This recipe is so easy, you can make it in no time.
First let's mix it up…
- Smash the bananas and blend them with the already whipped cream cheese.
- Mix in a whole container of Cool Whip.
- Then add the powdered sugar and instant pudding mix.
- Finally, add the milk to the pudding mixture, mixing well.
LET'S TALK ABOUT CHOOSING WHICH BANANAS TO USE
In the case of homemade banana pudding, you really want your bananas to be perfectly fresh.
That means they're not green, but they're not overripe either, meaning no brown spots.
The fresher your bananas, the better flavor your pudding will have.
HOW TO LAYER BANANA PUDDING
Now it's time to layer your vanilla wafer banana pudding.
- Add a bottom layer of vanilla wafers in the bottom of a large baking dish.
- Then add a layer of pudding on top of the cookies.
- Put another layer of vanilla wafers on top of the pudding.
- Then add a final layer of pudding.
Now this is where you can choose to add a layer of whipped topping or top with a layer of cookies.
I usually opt for more cookies on top; then just add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each serving.
DOES BANANA PUDDING NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED?
Yes, it does. In fact, I like to chill it for a good 3 or 4 hours, or even overnight, before serving it.
If you end up having leftovers, be sure to store it in an airtight container so it stays fresher.
HOW LONG DOES BANANA PUDDING LAST?
While this pudding can possibly last up to a week if stored properly in the fridge, it's best the first 3 or 4 days after making it.
But good luck getting it to last that long. It's usually gobbled up pretty quick around here.
CAN YOU FREEZE BANANA PUDDING?
While you could technically freeze this pudding, I don't really recommend it.
The texture or consistency of your pudding may be altered if you do freeze it. And bananas are known for turning brown, yet another reason I recommend eating the pudding up within the first 3 or 4 days after making it.
Can You Freeze This has a great explanation with tips for freezing banana pudding.
MORE BANANA RECIPES:
SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:
Mixer – My stand mixer is my most used small kitchen appliance.
Baking Dish or Large Trifle Dish or Mini Trifle Dishes or Dessert Cups – You can serve pudding in a multitude of ways.
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No Bake Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 bananas
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup whole milk
- 16 ounces vanilla wafers
- 2 cups whipped topping optional
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese first in a large mixing bowl.
- Smash the bananas* and blend them with the cream cheese.
- Add a container of Cool Whip to the cream cheese mixture.
- Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla pudding mix.
- Finally, add the milk to the mixture, mixing well.
- In a large baking dish or trifle dish, add a bottom layer of vanilla wafers.
- Then add a layer of the pudding on top of the cookies.
- Put another layer of vanilla wafers on top of the pudding.
- Then add a final layer of pudding.
- Now you can choose to layer with more cookies or add a layer of whipped cream.**
This was delicious ! My family loved it. I crushed up the wafers and dusted the top layer. It looked pretty and tasted great!
That sounds great, Gina! Thank You for the awesome feedback.
I have tried and it’s amazing.
thank you Mel Lockcuff.
Pickedforhome
Thank You!
Was delicious! Though I don’t recommend smashing the bananas because they turn black almost instantaneously. So the next day they will not be appealing. But it was really good!
Heather, that’s interesting. I’ve never had that problem with the bananas before. I’m glad you still enjoyed it!
How do I make the banana pudding using slice bananas instead of smashing them and mixing it in the pudding
Lisa, that’s a whole different recipe. You can try it with this recipe, but it’ll be much different.
I found that one cup of milk is not enough to produce a soft enough mixture to ensure the cookies soften to a cake like texture. I used about 1 3/4 cup and it was still stiff. Will use more next time.