The easy banana pudding with cream cheese is supremely creamy and mouthwatering.
It’s a southern classic that requires no baking. You can always find it for dessert at a family get-together.
To make this old fashioned banana pudding recipe, you need vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, whipped cream, and cream cheese.
It’s an optimal way to satisfy your sweet tooth. This banana pudding with condensed milk and cream cheese may seem complicated with several seams; making it from scratch is a breeze.
It’s an excellent make-ahead dessert that leaves your kitchen clean and organized for company.
What Is Banana Pudding?
Banana Pudding is a classic Southern dessert featuring layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, cool whip, and Nilla wafers, typically chilled and enjoyed at potlucks, picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese (or Mascarpone!)
Bringing a twist to the traditional banana pudding, the addition of cream cheese or mascarpone creates a uniquely creamy texture and enriches the sweetness, making it a standout dessert at any dinner table or potluck spread.
This homemade delight is not only easy to whip up but also impressively forgiving in its steps, allowing even the most novice cooks to shine.
Its irresistible banana flavor is a hit across all seasons and can be enjoyed throughout the year, making it perfect for gatherings with a crowd or a cozy family dinner party.
Why Add Cream Cheese To Banana Pudding?
In the realm of sweet desserts, banana pudding with cool whip and cream cheese stands out with its harmonious blend of silky pudding, crispy wafers, and ripe bananas.
The inclusion of cream cheese adds a rich and tangy dimension, infusing complexity into both the flavor and texture.
This added richness enhances the pudding’s overall taste, perfectly complementing the delicate flavors of bananas and wafers.
As a result, you get a balanced dessert that’s both indulgent and satisfying, a delightful twist on a beloved classic.
Easy Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces vanilla wafers
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups of cold milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
- 8 ounces cool whip or heavy cream, whipped
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 5 ounces instant vanilla pudding
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese and condensed milk together until silky smooth, scraping the bowl’s sides for about 3 minutes on medium speed.
- Put the vanilla, milk, and dry pudding mix in the bowl and start mixing at low speed for 30 seconds. Gradually increase the speed until you are on high speed. Mix for 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thick, scraping the bowl’s sides as needed.
- Fold half of the heavy whipped cream or cool whip into the easy banana pudding recipe with cool whip and cream cheese until integrated.
- Line a large dish with as many vanilla wafers as you can fit. Uniformly place the banana slices on the top of wafers. Spread the pudding on the top of the bananas and then remaining heavy whipped cream or cool whip on the top of the pudding.
- Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Crumble some vanilla wafers on the top of the banana pudding recipe using cream cheese and serve to your loved ones.
Easy Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese Variations
- Swap cream cheese for mascarpone to add a smoother, creamier richness with a less tangy profile, perfect for those who prefer a subtler flavor.
- Replace traditional vanilla wafers with shortbread cookies like Pepperidge Farm Chessmen or Bordeaux cookies for a unique twist that adds a delightful, buttery crunch to the pudding.
Tips For Perfect Banana Pudding With Cool Whip And Cream Cheese
- Ensure the pudding mixture with cream cheese is not hot when combined; overheating can cause the cream cheese to melt, altering the texture of the final pudding. It’s best when refrigerated for at least six hours.
- For a cake-like consistency, let the vanilla wafers soften within the pudding. If you prefer crunchy layers, add extra wafers just before serving.
How To Store Cream Cheese Banana Pudding?
To keep your banana pudding fresh, store it in the serving container covered with plastic wrap. It will stay good for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Be mindful that the vanilla wafers may become a bit mushy over time, which is a common trait in layered desserts.
It’s not recommended to freeze the pudding as bananas can turn brown and the whipped cream may alter its texture. Enjoy the leftovers chilled for a delightful treat!
FAQs About Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese And Heavy Whipping Cream
1. Can You Utilize Banana-Flavored Instant Pudding Instead Of Instant Vanilla Pudding?
Yes, you can use banana-flavored instant pudding. Some people don’t like the flavor of artificial banana in the pudding, but it’s entirely your choice. You can also utilize banana essence instead of vanilla essence.
2. How Do I Keep My Bananas From Turning Brown?
To keep bananas from turning brown, coat the sliced bananas with citric acid powder or a mixture of lemon or orange juice, which helps preserve the flavor and color.
3. What Bananas Are Perfect For The Easy Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese Recipe?
Ripe bananas with no green or brown spots are perfect for this recipe. They should be ready to eat that day. Also, bananas should be fresh because they have the best flavor and texture.
4. Is It Possible To Make 3 Ingredient Banana Pudding Ahead Of Time?
You can make it three days in advance. However, bear in mind that bananas will turn brown.
So, if you want to make this recipe ahead of time, your bananas may turn brown.
5. How Long Does Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe Last?
You could store it in the refrigerator for three days if you made it the same day as the dinner. Bananas can last for at least three days. So, if you make this recipe three days ahead, hurry and nibble it up. However, if you make it fresh for the get-together, you have got three days to keep eating.
6. Can I Freeze Cream Cheese Banana Pudding With Condensed Milk?
It’s better not to freeze it. Freezing and defrosting will generate excessive moisture, making it extremely mushy. Eat it fresh to enjoy the best texture and taste.
7. What Is The Difference Between No-Cook Pudding And A Cooked Banana Pudding?
Cooked southern banana pudding involves cooking the pudding with bananas, which can brown over time. In contrast, the no-cook version keeps bananas fresher for longer, making it ideal for picnics and potlucks as it travels and serves well with non-brown bananas.
8. Can I Use Banana Flavored Pudding Instead Of Vanilla?
Yes, you can use banana flavored pudding, which contains artificial banana flavoring. However, this will change the taste compared to using banana cream instant pudding. It depends on personal preference; some might prefer to enhance the flavor with banana extract rather than vanilla.
9. Can I Make My Own Homemade Whipped Cream?
Absolutely, you can make homemade whipped cream which is stabilized and less likely to break down into a liquid state compared to cool whip.
10. Can You Make Cream Cheese Banana Pudding Recipe Without Nilla Wafers?
Yes, wafers provide traditional texture and flavor to the dessert, but you can substitute with other cookies, such as pepperidge farm chessman butter cookies for a different taste and texture.
11. How Do I Keep My Bananas From Turning Brown?
To keep bananas from turning brown, coat the sliced bananas with citric acid powder or a mixture of lemon or orange juice, which helps preserve the flavor and color.
12. How Long Does Banana Pudding Recipe With Cool Whip And Cream Cheese Last?
Homemade banana pudding with cream cheese can last in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. However, it’s best to refrigerate soon after making to prevent the bananas from turning brown and avoid freezing.
13. How Can You Prevent The Bananas From Turning Brown In Your Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese And Condensed Milk?
Use firm, unblemished bananas; overly ripe or bruised bananas are more likely to turn brown. Once sliced, coat the bananas with a teaspoon of citrus juice to prevent oxidizing.
14. Can You Use Homemade Whipped Cream Instead Of Frozen Whipped Topping?
Using homemade whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping is delicious, but be aware it may deflate over time in the cold banana pudding with cream cheese, causing it to become watery.
15. Can You Make Banana Pudding Cool Whip Cream Cheese Ahead Of Time?
Yes, this delicious dessert benefits from some rest in the fridge for a few hours, but be aware that the wafers might become mushy over time.
16. Why Is Banana Pudding From Scratch With Cream Cheese Popular In The South?
Easy banana pudding recipe with cool whip is popular in the southern United States partly due to the promotion by Nabisco of their Nilla Wafers. It’s a popular choice in the South for being an inexpensive treat that pleases a crowd at events like potlucks, church dinners, funerals, and makes the perfect dessert for a barbecue.
17. How Long Does Banana Pudding Recipe Using Cream Cheese Need To Set?
In the refrigerator, banana cream cheese pudding needs about 15 minutes to set. Cover it with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and leave it for at least 2 hours to achieve a creamy texture before you serve.
18. Why Did The Best Banana Pudding With Cream Cheese Separate?
Banana pudding with sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese may separate due to weeping or curdling if the egg mixtures are cooked too fast or for too long, causing the proteins to coagulate and separate, forming lumps. Using an immersion blender can help smooth it out.
19. Is Banana Pudding Served Hot Or Cold?
Banana pudding recipe with sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese can be served according to personal preference, either warm or cool.
20. How To Get Lumps Of Cream Cheese Out Of Banana Pudding Mix?
To remove lumps of cream cheese from your southern banana pudding recipe with cream cheese, ensure the cream cheese is well mixed with sugar before combining it with other ingredients.
21. Why Is My Banana Pudding Mix Not Thickening?
To thicken your banana pudding mix, continuously whisk and be patient, as it typically takes longer than stated in recipes. Judge by the consistency, not time. To avoid skin formation, place saran wrap directly on the pudding’s surface before you chill it, preventing a skin.
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