This Christmas Banana Pudding is a no-bake, ultra-creamy holiday twist on the classic Southern favorite. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and a rich pudding–cream cheese filling are topped with fluffy Cool Whip and festive garnishes. It’s easy, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 box (11–12 oz) vanilla wafers, plus extra for topping if desired
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed
- Optional Christmas toppings: crushed vanilla wafers, white chocolate shavings, festive sprinkles, extra banana slices
Instructions
- Make the pudding base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until completely smooth and combined. Set the bowl aside.
- Cream the cream cheese: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
- Gently fold the whipped cream cheese into the pudding mixture, stirring until fully blended and silky.
- Fold in Cool Whip: Add about half of the Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and gently fold until the filling is light and fluffy. Reserve the remaining Cool Whip for topping.
- Assemble the banana pudding: In a large trifle dish or 9×13-inch baking dish, start with a single layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom.
- Add an even layer of sliced bananas over the wafers.
- Spoon and spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas, smoothing it to the edges.
- Repeat the layers—wafers, bananas, pudding—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a pudding layer or leaving room for topping.
- Spread the reserved Cool Whip evenly over the top as the final layer.
- Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Optional Christmas touches: Just before serving, sprinkle the top with crushed vanilla wafers, shaved white chocolate, and festive holiday sprinkles. Add fresh banana slices right before serving to keep them from browning.
- Serve cold, scoop into bowls, and enjoy!
Variation
- Baked Southern-Style Banana Pudding: Swap the instant pudding for homemade custard, layer with wafers and bananas in a baking dish, and top with meringue. Bake until the meringue is golden, then cool to room temperature before chilling or serving warm.
- Mini Individual Cups: Layer crushed vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture into clear cups, jars, or stemless wine glasses. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip and sprinkles for easy, portable party desserts.
- Peppermint or Eggnog Twist: For a peppermint version, add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the pudding mixture and top with crushed candy canes. For an eggnog version, replace 1/2 cup of the milk with eggnog and add a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Cooking Notes
- Chill time is crucial; less than 4 hours will leave the wafers too crunchy and the filling not fully set.
- Beat the cream cheese very well before adding it to the pudding mixture to avoid tiny lumps throughout the dessert.
- If your pudding mixture seems too thick, whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of additional cold milk to loosen it slightly before layering.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in a glass trifle dish so the holiday layers of wafers, bananas, and pudding are visible on your Christmas dessert table.
- Top each serving with an extra dollop of Cool Whip, a few banana slices, and a sprinkle of crushed wafers or white chocolate.
- Pair with hot cocoa, coffee, or a mug of spiced eggnog for a cozy Christmas dessert course.
Tips
- To prevent banana slices from browning inside the layers, slice them right before assembling; for extra insurance, you can lightly toss them in a little lemon juice, then pat dry.
- Soften the cream cheese completely at room temperature (about 30–45 minutes) for a smoother, lump-free filling.
- For a firmer dessert that slices more cleanly, chill overnight and serve straight from the fridge with a large spoon or spatula.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: Approx. 350
- Protein: Approx. 6 g
- Sodium: Approx. 260 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this Christmas banana pudding a day ahead?
– Yes. In fact, making it the day before is ideal. The wafers soften, the flavors meld, and the texture becomes extra creamy. Just wait to add any banana slices on top until right before serving. - How do I keep the bananas from turning brown?
– Use ripe but firm bananas, slice them just before layering, and fully cover them with pudding so they’re not exposed to air. For extra protection, lightly toss slices in lemon juice and pat dry before adding. - Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
– Yes. Substitute about 3 cups of lightly sweetened whipped cream for the Cool Whip. Keep in mind that homemade whipped cream is less stable, so the dessert is best eaten within 24 hours. - What can I use instead of vanilla wafers?
– Graham crackers, shortbread cookies, butter cookies, or even Biscoff cookies work well. Choose a sturdy, slightly sweet cookie that will soften nicely as it chills.
Conclusion
This Christmas Banana Pudding (No-Bake) layers silky pudding, tangy cream cheese, and sweet bananas into a dessert that feels festive yet completely fuss-free. It’s perfect for making ahead, travels well to holiday gatherings, and delivers nostalgic, comforting flavor in every spoonful—sure to become a Christmas tradition.
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Christmas Banana Pudding (No-Bake)
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas Banana Pudding is a no-bake, ultra-creamy holiday twist on the classic Southern favorite. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and a rich pudding–cream cheese filling are topped with fluffy Cool Whip and festive garnishes. It’s easy, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (11–12 oz) vanilla wafers, plus extra for topping if desired
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed
- Optional Christmas toppings: crushed vanilla wafers, white chocolate shavings, festive sprinkles, extra banana slices
Instructions
- Make the pudding base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until completely smooth and combined. Set the bowl aside.
- Cream the cream cheese: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
- Gently fold the whipped cream cheese into the pudding mixture, stirring until fully blended and silky.
- Fold in Cool Whip: Add about half of the Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and gently fold until the filling is light and fluffy. Reserve the remaining Cool Whip for topping.
- Assemble the banana pudding: In a large trifle dish or 9×13-inch baking dish, start with a single layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom.
- Add an even layer of sliced bananas over the wafers.
- Spoon and spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas, smoothing it to the edges.
- Repeat the layers—wafers, bananas, pudding—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a pudding layer or leaving room for topping.
- Spread the reserved Cool Whip evenly over the top as the final layer.
- Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Optional Christmas touches: Just before serving, sprinkle the top with crushed vanilla wafers, shaved white chocolate, and festive holiday sprinkles. Add fresh banana slices right before serving to keep them from browning.
- Serve cold, scoop into bowls, and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is no-bake, but it does require several hours of chilling for the wafers to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Use bananas that are ripe and sweet with yellow peels and a few brown speckles, but not mushy.
- For neat layers in a trifle, line banana slices and wafers around the glass edge first, then fill the center.
- If making ahead the day before, wait to add banana slices on top until just before serving to prevent browning.
- Light or reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipped topping can be used, but the texture will be slightly softer.
- Instant pudding is required—cook-and-serve pudding will not set correctly in this no-bake recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/10–1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: Approx. 350
- Sugar: Approx. 34 g
- Sodium: Approx. 260 mg
- Fat: Approx. 14 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 5 g
- Trans Fat: Approx. 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 52 g
- Fiber: Approx. 1 g
- Protein: Approx. 6 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 35 mg
Keywords: Christmas banana pudding,no bake banana pudding,holiday dessert,banana pudding trifle,cream cheese banana pudding,easy Christmas dessert
