Creamy Banana Pudding Dessert
This creamy banana pudding dessert features a wafer crust layered with a mixture of cream cheese and whipped cream, topped with fresh banana slices and followed by a layer of homemade vanilla pudding. A final layer of homemade whipped cream completes this delectable treat. So simple to prepare, you'll want to include this creamy banana pudding dessert in your rotation for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 8x8 square pan
Ingredients
Whipped Cream (makes 2 cups)
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Crust layer:
- 1 cup vanilla wafers (crushed)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
Cream cheese/Whipped Cream Layer
- 1 cup homemade whipped cream
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 bananas (sliced)
Vanilla Pudding Layer
- 2 cups milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter (sliced)
Instructions
Homemade Whipped Cream:
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, with a whisk attached, whip the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium to stiff form. In other words, the peaks won't be stiff straight but will bend over a little bit. This will take about 3-5 minutes.
- Place in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
- This recipe will make about 2 cups of whipped cream. 1 cup is mixed with the cream cheese and the other cup is used on the top layer of the dessert.
Crust Layer:
- Combine the crushed vanilla wafers with 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted butter.
- Press into the bottom of an 8x8 square pan. Set aside
Cream Cheese/Whipped Cream Layer:
- In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until creamy about 30 seconds.
- Add the confectioners' sugar and 1 cup of the whipped cream. Mix until smooth.
- Using a spoon, dollop the mixture over the crust and carefully smooth over the crust.
- Arrange sliced banana over the cream cheese mixture.
Vanilla Pudding:
- Add the milk, egg yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Place in the microwave and cook on high for 5-7 minutes. Whisking well after each minute.
- After 4 minutes, whisk every 30 seconds. until it begins to thicken.
- Once it starts to thicken, whisk vigorously to smooth it out. Once it's thickened it's done.
- Stir in the vanilla and the butter and whisk until the butter is fully incorporated.
- Place plastic wrap directly on the pudding. This will prevent a skin forming on the pudding. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely. If you're in a hurry, place the bowl in an ice bath to cool quickly.
- Once the pudding has cooled, spread it over the cream cheese/banana layer.
- Arrange the vanilla wafers on top of the vanilla pudding.
- Place in the refrigerator to completely set.
- Once set, spread the remaining whipped cream over the wafers. When you're ready to serve it up, garnish with more crushed vanilla wafer and some extra bananas.