Description
This no-bake strawberry banana pudding is a creamy, fruity Southern classic layered with fresh strawberries, ripe bananas, pudding, whipped topping, and vanilla wafers. It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert for potlucks, BBQs, or anytime you need a quick and delicious treat.
Ingredients
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1 (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
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2 cups cold milk
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1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
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1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
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1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
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4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
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2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
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1 box vanilla wafers (or substitute with graham crackers or Biscoff)
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Optional: cinnamon, rum extract, or lemon zest for flavor boost
Instructions
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Make the pudding base: In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
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Cream the base: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk and mix until well combined.
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Combine: Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture. Then gently fold in half of the whipped topping.
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Layer it up: In a trifle dish or 9×13 pan, layer wafers → banana slices → strawberry slices → pudding mixture. Repeat until full.
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Top it off: Spread the remaining whipped topping over the top and garnish with extra fruit or crushed cookies.
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Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best texture.
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Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
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Bananas browning too quickly? Toss slices in a little lemon juice to slow oxidation.
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Want it lighter? Use low-fat cream cheese and sugar-free pudding mix.
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Vegan tip: Use dairy-free milk, coconut whipped topping, and plant-based pudding mix.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Layered
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: ~310
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg