The Dreamiest Banana Pudding Cake Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Sweet memories flood back when I whip up this dreamy banana pudding cake that combines nostalgia with pure comfort.

Creamy layers of silky pudding mingle between soft cake crumbs, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delectable treat, perfecting each delicate bite.

Ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and depth to every forkful of this classic dessert.

Delightful textures dance across your palate with each carefully crafted slice.

Smooth custard and tender cake create a harmonious blend that makes hearts smile.

Come experience a slice of pure happiness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients For Banana Pudding Cake

• Flour: The essential dry ingredient that provides structure and texture to the banana cake.
• Bananas: Ripe fruits that offer natural sweetness and moisture to the cake base.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich consistency.

• Vegetable Oil, Milk: Ensure the cake remains moist and soft throughout baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor enhancing the overall taste profile.

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix, Cold Milk: Create a creamy layer that adds richness to the dessert.
• Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar: Whip together to form a light and fluffy topping.
• Vanilla Wafer Cookies: Add a delightful crunch and textural contrast to the smooth cake.
• Banana Slices: Offer a fresh garnish and additional banana flavor to the dessert.

Baking Instructions For Banana Pudding Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, stirring until well blended.

Step 3: Mash Banana Base

Crush ripe bananas in a separate bowl until they become a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 4: Create Wet Mixture

• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the ingredients form a uniform liquid.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated to keep the cake tender.

Step 6: Fill Baking Pan

Transfer batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 7: Bake Cake

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Remove cake from oven and let it rest at room temperature for about an hour until totally cooled.

Step 9: Prepare Pudding Layer

Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until thick and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Step 10: Spread Pudding

Once cake has cooled, evenly distribute pudding across the cake’s surface.

Step 11: Add Banana Slices

Artfully arrange fresh banana slices over the pudding layer.

Step 12: Whip Cream Topping

Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.

Step 13: Cover with Cream

Carefully spread whipped cream over the banana layer, covering completely.

Step 14: Add Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafer cookies across the top for extra texture.

Step 15: Final Decoration

Garnish with additional banana slices for a beautiful finish.

Step 16: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to allow flavors to develop and pudding to set perfectly.

Helpful Tips For Banana Pudding Cake

• Select Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Choose bananas with deep yellow skin and brown speckles for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
• Prevent Cake from Drying: Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a moist, tender cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Create Smooth Pudding Layer: Whisk pudding mix thoroughly and chill briefly to ensure a creamy, lump-free consistency.
• Stabilize Whipped Cream: Add a touch of vanilla extract and powdered sugar while whipping to help maintain cream's structure and enhance flavor.
• Boost Cookie Crunch: Crush vanilla wafers just before sprinkling to preserve their crisp texture and prevent soggy topping.

Delicious Variations Of Banana Pudding Cake

• Chocolate Banana Blast: Replace vanilla pudding with chocolate pudding mix and swap vanilla wafers for chocolate graham crackers for a rich, decadent version.
• Gluten-Free Banana Comfort: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour and substitute gluten-free vanilla wafers to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Tropical Banana Dream: Add shredded coconut to the whipped cream and top with toasted macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian-inspired dessert experience.
• Vegan Banana Paradise: Use mashed silken tofu instead of eggs, coconut milk in place of dairy milk, and dairy-free whipped topping to create a plant-based alternative.

What To Serve With Banana Pudding Cake

• Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Dark roast or espresso cuts through the cake's sweetness, creating a robust flavor contrast that elevates the dessert's rich banana profile.
• Select Smooth Chilled Beverage: Vanilla milkshake complements the cake's creamy texture, enhancing the dessert's smooth banana and pudding layers with a cool, sweet embrace.
• Match Harmonizing Wine Option: Moscato d'Asti provides a light, sweet white wine experience that beautifully mirrors the cake's delicate banana and creamy undertones.
• Accent with Nutty Sipper: Hazelnut liqueur adds depth and warmth, creating an unexpected but delightful flavor connection with the cake's vanilla wafer and banana elements.

Storing Banana Pudding Cake Properly

• Securely cover the banana pudding cake with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring minimal moisture exposure to preserve texture and taste.
• Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to slightly warm and soften. Avoid direct microwave heating to prevent soggy whipped cream layer.
• Transfer frozen cake slices to refrigerator overnight for gradual, even thawing. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before enjoying to restore optimal texture and taste.

Banana Pudding Cake FAQs

• Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Overripe bananas are perfect for this cake! They provide more intense flavor and natural sweetness, making your banana pudding cake even more delicious.

• Is it necessary to use instant pudding mix?

Yes, instant pudding mix creates a smooth, creamy layer that sets quickly and adds rich flavor to the cake. It’s a key component in achieving the classic pudding cake texture.

• How do I prevent my cake from becoming dry?

Avoid overmixing the batter and don’t overbake. Remove the cake from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean, which typically takes 25-30 minutes at 350°F.

Why Banana Pudding Cake Is A Southern Favorite

• Craft with Ease: This banana pudding cake requires minimal baking skills, making it perfect for novice and experienced bakers alike.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Packed with classic banana flavor and multiple delightful layers, this cake promises to impress family and friends at gatherings.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: No complicated techniques needed – just mix, bake, and layer for a stunning dessert that looks more challenging than it is.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Suitable for potlucks, birthdays, summer parties, or casual weekend desserts with its crowd-friendly combination of textures and flavors.

Banana Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern banana pudding cake blends nostalgic comfort with sweet, layered indulgence. Rich vanilla custard and ripe bananas meld perfectly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of classic Southern dessert magic.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pudding Layer:

• 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk
• 2 ripe bananas (sliced)

Topping:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup vanilla wafer cookies (crushed)
• 2 ripe bananas (sliced for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy cake removal.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth and creamy, creating a rich banana base for the cake.
4. Incorporate eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract into the mashed bananas, mixing until a homogeneous wet mixture forms.
5. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cake texture.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating complete baking.
8. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour.
9. Prepare the pudding layer by whisking instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until thickened and smooth, approximately 2 minutes.
10. Once the cake has cooled, spread the pudding evenly across the cake’s surface.
11. Arrange fresh banana slices over the pudding layer, creating a decorative and flavorful arrangement.
12. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, creating a light and airy topping.
13. Spread the whipped cream gently over the banana layer, covering the entire surface.
14. Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafer cookies across the top for added crunch and texture.
15. Garnish with additional banana slices for a final decorative touch.
16. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and pudding to set completely.

Notes

• Check banana ripeness by ensuring they’re deeply yellow with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
• Prevent cake from becoming dense by mixing wet and dry ingredients minimally, stopping just when combined to maintain light texture.
• Stabilize whipped cream by chilling mixing bowl and whisk beforehand, ensuring peaks hold shape and maintain creamy consistency.
• Adapt recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend without compromising cake’s delicate structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 382
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 51 mg