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Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream

  • Author: ChefSophia
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (including chilling)
  • Yield: 1 large trifle or 9×13 pan (about 12–16 servings) 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream is a no-bake, layered dessert that tastes like a cross between banana pudding and strawberry shortcake. Vanilla wafers soften into a cake-like layer, fresh bananas and juicy strawberries add bright fruit flavor, and a rich, creamy pudding-cheesecake filling ties everything together. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, and make-ahead entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boxes vanilla wafers
  • 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
  • 1 container fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz each)
  • 4 cups cold milk
  • 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 (8-oz) container Cool Whip, thawed (reserve some for topping)

Instructions

  1. Make the creamy pudding mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mixes and cold milk for about 2 minutes, until thick and smooth.
  2. Beat the cream cheese: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until completely smooth and lump-free.
  3. Combine with condensed milk: Add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese and beat until fully combined, silky, and creamy.
  4. Fold into pudding: Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the pudding until no streaks remain.
  5. Add Cool Whip: Fold in about 3/4 of the Cool Whip, reserving the remaining Cool Whip for the topping. Mix gently to keep it light and fluffy.
  6. Start the layers: In a large trifle dish, clear glass bowl, or 9×13-inch pan, add a layer of vanilla wafers to cover the bottom.
  7. Add fruit layers: Top the wafers with a layer of banana slices, then a layer of sliced strawberries.
  8. Add pudding layer: Spread a generous layer of the pudding cream mixture over the fruit, smoothing it to the edges.
  9. Repeat layers: Repeat the layers—wafers, bananas, strawberries, pudding—until you run out of ingredients, finishing with pudding on top.
  10. Top with Cool Whip: Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the final layer in an even, fluffy layer.
  11. Decorate: Garnish the top with extra sliced strawberries and vanilla wafers around the edges or in a pretty pattern, if desired.
  12. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the wafers soften and the layers are set and sliceable. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • Use very cold milk so the instant pudding sets up thick and quickly.
  • Soften the cream cheese completely to avoid lumps in your pudding mixture.
  • Bananas can brown over time; fully covering them with pudding layers helps slow this down.
  • Overnight chilling gives the vanilla wafers a soft, cake-like texture that many people love.
  • This dessert is rich—small portions go a long way, especially after a big meal.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: About 1/12 of recipe
  • Calories: Approx. 380
  • Sugar: Approx. 40g
  • Sodium: Approx. 280mg
  • Fat: Approx. 14g
  • Saturated Fat: Approx. 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 5g
  • Trans Fat: Approx. 0g
  • Carbohydrates: Approx. 58g
  • Fiber: Approx. 2g
  • Protein: Approx. 6g
  • Cholesterol: Approx. 35mg

Keywords: strawberry banana pudding, banana pudding trifle, no-bake dessert, layered pudding dessert, potluck dessert

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Find it online: https://chefsophia.com/strawberry-banana-pudding-dream/