Description
Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream: Creamy, fruity, and easy to make. Perfect blend of strawberries, bananas, and pudding. A crowd-pleasing dessert!
Ingredients
Scale
- 5½ cups (500g) vanilla wafer cookies
- 4–5 ripe bananas (about 1 pound/450g), sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 pound (450g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 (3.4 oz/96g) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups (720ml) cold whole milk
- 1 (14 oz/396g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 (8 oz/226g) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1 (16 oz/454g) container whipped topping, divided
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for macerated strawberries)
- Optional garnish: additional whole strawberries, vanilla wafers, or banana slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Mixture In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold whole milk for 2 minutes until it begins to thicken. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, then continue whisking until fully incorporated. Set aside to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. This forms the creamy foundation of your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream.
- Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Mixture In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and free of lumps—about 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Gently fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping until just combined, maintaining as much air in the mixture as possible. This creates that irresistible mousse-like texture that elevates this dessert beyond traditional pudding.
- Step 3: Combine the Pudding Layers Carefully fold the cream cheese mixture into the pudding until fully incorporated but still light and airy. The mixture should be smooth but thick enough to hold its shape when spooned. This perfect consistency ensures your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream will have well-defined layers.
- Step 4: Prepare the Fruit If you haven’t already, slice your bananas into ¼-inch rounds and toss with a splash of lemon water to prevent browning. Hull and slice the strawberries, then toss with 2 tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl. Let them macerate for about 15 minutes until they release their juices.
- Step 5: Assemble the Layers In a large trifle dish or glass bowl, arrange your ingredients in this order: Spread a thin layer of pudding mixture on the bottom. Place a layer of vanilla wafers slightly overlapping each other. Add a layer of sliced bananas. Add a layer of macerated strawberries. Spoon a generous layer of pudding mixture. Repeat these layers 2-3 more times, depending on the size of your dish, finishing with a layer of pudding mixture on top.
- Step 6: Finish and Chill Spread the remaining whipped topping over the final pudding layer. Garnish your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream with additional whole strawberries, banana slices, and crushed vanilla wafers for visual appeal. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the wafers to soften and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 calories per serving
- Sugar: 35 grams
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 50 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
- Cholesterol: 35 mg