Strawberry Banana Pudding is a layered dessert, combining fresh fruit, strawberry glaze, pudding, and a mix of cookies and vanilla wafers. Perfect for the Holiday's, Valentine's Day or ANY special occasion! This treat gets more indulgent with each creamy spoonful.
Looking for another strawberry dessert recipe? Try my Strawberry Crunch Cake Brownies and Strawberries and Cream Dessert Tacos.
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Banana Pudding with Strawberries
In my humble opinion, strawberries and bananas go together real bad! But seriously, this recipe takes classic banana pudding to the next level with the inclusion of fresh strawberries and a sweet strawberry glaze.
Its beautiful presentation makes it perfect for themed gatherings but I also love it as a casual snack when I'm chilling at home. The creamy layers of pudding, fruit, and cookies come together for an easy treat. Strawberry and banana pudding is rich without being too heavy, so you’ll find yourself going back for another scoop.
Ingredients
- Pudding Mix: Combining vanilla and banana cream pudding mixes creates a perfectly balanced flavor that’s both sweet and nostalgic.
- Milk: Using very cold milk is key to achieving a smooth, creamy texture for the pudding base.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds a tangy richness that complements the sweetness of the dessert.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the depth of flavor in the creamy layers.
- Cinnamon: A hint of cinnamon brings warmth and a subtle spice to the pudding.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds a velvety sweetness that ties all the layers together.
- Cool Whip: One tub goes into the pudding for creaminess, and the other creates a fluffy topping to finish.
- Chessman Butter Cookies: These buttery cookies add texture and a touch of elegance to each layer.
- Nilla Wafers: A classic addition that brings a nostalgic crunch to every bite.
- Fresh Fruit: Thinly sliced bananas and strawberries add a burst of fresh flavor to balance the richness.
- Strawberry Glaze: Optional but highly recommended for a bright, tangy finish that takes the dessert to the next level.
How to Make Strawberry Banana Pudding
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Prepare the Pudding Base
I started by mixing the vanilla and banana cream pudding mixes with very cold milk in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, I blended everything until the pudding thickened, which took about 2 to 3 minutes. Once it looked smooth and creamy, I set it aside to work on the next step.
I start by mixing the vanilla and banana cream pudding mixes with very cold milk in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, I blend everything until the pudding thickens, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Once it looks smooth and creamy, I set it aside to work on the next step.
Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a separate bowl, I combine softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sweetened condensed milk.
I mixed it all on high speed until the mixture was silky smooth with no lumps. It’s important to take your time here to ensure the cream cheese blends well.
Combine the Layers
Next, I gently folded the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding. To keep things light and fluffy, I added one container of Cool Whip, folding it in carefully without overmixing. The goal is to keep the mixture airy, so I used a spatula and worked slowly.
Layer Strawberry Banana Pudding
I add a thin layer of pudding to the bottom of my dish to start. Then, I create layers with Chessman cookies, Nilla wafers, banana slices, and strawberries. To make it look extra special, I line some of the strawberry slices along the sides of the dish.
I repeat these layers—cookies, fruit, and pudding—until I reach the top or run out of ingredients. If you’re using strawberry glaze, drizzle it between the layers for an extra pop of flavor. I finish the last layer with a generous spread of Cool Whip.
Decorate and Chill
For the finishing touch, I decorated the top with leftover strawberries, crumbled cookies, and a little more glaze. Then, I lightly covered the dish with plastic wrap and popped it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set. It’s even better if you let it chill overnight so all the flavors meld together.
Pro Tips
- Use very cold milk for the pudding mix. Cold milk ensures the pudding sets up properly and achieves a smooth, creamy texture.
- Let the cream cheese soften before mixing. Room temperature cream cheese blends easier, preventing lumps in your pudding base.
- Layer cookies right before serving for the best texture. This keeps the cookies from getting too soft and ensures a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Slice bananas and strawberries as thinly as possible. Thin slices distribute the fruit evenly throughout the dessert, adding just the right amount of freshness.
- Don’t skip the strawberry glaze. While optional, it adds a tangy sweetness that complements the creamy layers beautifully.
- Chill the strawberry banana pudding for at least 4 hours before serving. This gives the layers time to set and the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Use a trifle bowl for a beautiful presentation. A clear dish shows off the vibrant layers of your strawberry pudding. It makes this dessert perfect for themed gatherings or special occasions.
Storage
Store leftover strawberry pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. After that, the cookies may become soggy and alter the texture of your strawberry banana dessert.
Topping Ideas for Strawberry Banana Pudding
- Crushed cookies. Sprinkle crushed Chessman cookies, Nilla wafers, or even Golden Oreos for extra texture and a decorative touch.
- Shaved chocolate: Add a sprinkle of shaved dark or white chocolate for a decadent twist.
- Chopped nuts: Lightly sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds for a bit of crunch and flavor contrast.
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, this strawberry banana pudding is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.
What makes bananas not turn brown in pudding?
The pudding and layering process helps to protect the bananas from air exposure, which is what causes browning. Using very fresh bananas and covering them completely with pudding or glaze helps to keep them looking fresh.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
I recommend fresh strawberries for the best texture and flavor. Frozen fruit can release excess moisture and make the layers soggy. If you must use frozen, thaw and pat the fruit dry before adding it to the pudding.
How do I prevent the cookies from getting soggy?
The cookies will soften slightly as they absorb moisture from the pudding, but they shouldn’t become overly soggy. To maintain some crunch, add cookies right before serving or layer them strategically with pudding and fruit.
More Dessert Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this Strawberry Banana Pudding recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3.4 ounce box Vanilla pudding mix
- 1 3.4 ounce box Banana cream pudding mix
- 4 cups Milk very cold 2% or Whole milk
- 8 ounces Cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 14 ounce can Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 containers Cool whip one for pudding one for topping
- 1 pack Chessman butter cookies
- 1 box Nilla wafers
- 2 Bananas thinly sliced
- 1 cup Strawberries thinly sliced
- 1 cup Strawberry glaze optional but recommended
Instructions
- Add your vanilla pudding and banana cream pudding mix to a large bowl, then pour in the cold milk. Use an electric mixer and blend the milk in with the pudding mixture until it is fully combined and the pudding begins to thicken. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the pudding is thickened, set it aside. Add the softened cream cheese to a separate bowl, along with the vanilla extract, the cinnamon, and the sweetened condensed milk. Blend the cream cheese mixture on high speed until it is smooth and creamy and there are no more lumps.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding mix and use a spatula to gently gently combine them together. Fold one of the containers of cool whip into the pudding mixture, careful not to over mix it (you want to keep it nice and fluffy).
- Begin layering the pudding:
- Add a little bit of the pudding mixture to the bottom of your dish, then add a layer of the chessman cookies, a layer of the nilla wafers, a layer of bananas, and a layer of strawberries. If you are using a clear bowl or dish, layer some of the strawberries on the edge of the dish for presentation purposes.
- Drizzle some of the strawberry glaze over the top of the layers, now ladle in another layer of the pudding mixture. Continue layering the cookies, bananas, strawberries, and strawberry glaze until you get to the top of the dish or you run out of ingredients.
- Once you get to the final layer of pudding, add the cool whip topping on top and spread it out in one even layer. Decorate the top of the pudding with leftover strawberries and crushed up nilla wafers and any leftover strawberry glaze.
- Lightly cover the pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or preferably overnight) before serving. And enjoy!
Video
Kenneth says
Hello, I thank you all for the recipe. We made this dish tonight, and it is absolutely beautiful. We hope that it tastes as great as it appears. Thanks again.
Tamara J. says
I hope you loved it as much as we do!
Debbie says
This is my go-to dessert recipe now! I take it to every cookout and function. Thanks for sharing!
Tamara J. says
I love to hear that! I'm glad you enjoy it 🙂
Penny says
Made this over Christmas and everyone loves it so much, I had to make it again for new years dinner! We skipped the strawberry glaze but it’s still so yummy. Thanks for this recipe.
Tamara J. says
I'm so happy you guys enjoyed it!