Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese (No-Bake)
This easy Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese is the ultimate creamy no-bake dessert filled with layers of ripe bananas, cheesecake filling and pudding. It’s the perfect make ahead dessert for entertaining or any occasion.
Certain recipes just remind us of childhood, and Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese (aka Banana Cheesecake Delight) is one of those nostalgic desserts. Filled with layers of creamy cheesecake, fresh bananas, and a fluffy topping, this Banana Cream Cheese Pudding is just like the one I ate growing up. It’s super simple to assemble and can even be made ahead of time.
A no-bake, stress-free dessert is ideal in my book. This one has a buttery crust topped with a layer of silky cheesecake and bright lemony pudding – and that’s it, no baking or oven required! This Banana Pudding Cheesecake is my go-to treat for potlucks, holidays and any family gathering because it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Believe me, the proof is in the pudding!
If you’re a banana fan like we are, try these other simple treats. These Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Pops are always a hit and this Best Banana Bread comes out perfectly, every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Stress-Free, No-bake Dessert: With just a few ingredients, minimal effort, and no oven required, this is a super simple, no-fuss dessert.
- Make-Ahead Treat for Entertaining: This is the perfect make-ahead dessert for parties and holidays – prep it in advance and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
- Customizable: We love this recipe as is, but it’s so easy (and delicious!) to customize with different crusts or toppings. Use your favorite ingredients or whatever’s on hand.
- Sure to be a Crowdpleaser: This sweet treat is a fan-favorite, every time. It’s a dessert that’s sure to disappear quickly at potlucks or anywhere it’s served.
Ingredients
- Vanilla Wafers: A sweet and nostalgic favorite cookie. These create that crunchy, classic crust.
- Brown Sugar: For sweetness. Use light or dark, depending on how much of a molasses flavor you like.
- Butter: Rich and melted, the key ingredient for a golden brown crust.
- Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling: Sweet, rich and creamy, for that signature cheesecake flavor and texture.
- Bananas: Use ripe bananas, but not overly ripe.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: For that creamy-custard like texture and perfectly sweet flavor. I like to keep a few boxes on hand at all times.
- Milk: Use whole milk for richness.
- Rum Extract: For a highly concentrated, warm, sweet, rum-like flavor with caramel and molasses notes. A little goes a long way.
- Cool Whip: The perfect light and airy topping.
- Extra Wafers, Bananas & Caramel: To top the cheesecake – get creative for a fun presentation.
How To Make Banana Cheesecake Dessert
1. In a food processor, blend wafers & sugar. Add melted butter, pulse to combine.
2. Press in 9×13 pan (no bake).
3. Spread cheesecake filling over crust. Add sliced bananas.
4. Whisk pudding, milk & rum extract. Spread on bananas.
5. Add more banana slices. Top with Cool Whip.
6. Decorate with wafers & caramel. Chill 4 hours or overnight, then add more banana slices. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use Ripe But Firm Bananas: Look for yellow, ready-to-eat bananas, but avoid an overly ripe bunch, otherwise they’ll become mushy.
- Chill Each Layer: As you build, let each layer set up briefly, for 5 minutes, before adding the next. This will give you super clean layers that aren’t mixed together.
- Beat Cream Cheese Until Smooth. Be sure to really beat the cream cheese until it’s completely smooth to avoid lumps. It’s worth it for the perfect texture.
- Use Whole Milk. This will give the pudding the creamiest texture.
- Add Bananas Last. Add the bananas right before assembling to prevent browning. It can happen fast, so don’t prep or add them until the last moment.
Variations
This dessert is perfect as is, but it’s so versatile and customizable. Get creative with these other delicious flavor combinations.
- Banana Caramel: For an extra indulgent version, add a caramel drizzle between each layer. Use your favorite store-bought variety.
- Chocolate Banana: A classic flavor combo, use chocolate pudding instead of banana for a taste sensation loved by all.
- Nilla Wafer Crumbles: Instead of making a crust with them, simply replace the crust with crushed vanilla wafers. You’ll get the same great flavor and texture in a different way.
- Strawberry Banana Delight: Another delicious duo, add sliced ripe strawberries to the banana layer for an extra fruity flavor.
Perfect Presentation Platters
This Banana Cheesecake Delight looks sooo tempting in any dish! Here are some of our favorites:
Casserole Dish: This blue 13×9 casserole dish from Amazon is a great deal! We also love the design options for this Beautiful 2-piece Ceramic Dish set.
Individual Plates: I love the black-and-white checkered plates from MacKenzie-Childs, which also come in a blue or pink version! For more budget-friendly plates, I am obsessed with this beautiful coordinating set from Target for a great price!
Kitchen Links: I get asked all the time about the products in the background of my kitchen. Much of it is from MacKenzie-Childs, which I have slowly grown a collection of over the years! My favorites are this checkered chopping board, my black and white checkered teapot, and the gray and white checkered utensil holder. I also have this enamel canister that you can find in small, medium, or large.
Storage
If you have leftover Banana Cheesecake Delight, transfer to an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can make this ahead of time, too. Prep the whole recipe in advance (aside from adding the bananas on top) and let it chill at least 4 hours, or overnight in the fridge. Add the banana slices right before serving and enjoy!
FAQs
If you add the top layer of bananas too far in advance before serving, they’ll oxidize and turn brown. Add them right before serving. Also, if your bananas are too overly ripe, they’ll turn brown quicker.
Definitely. If you do this, you’ll want to eat the pudding as soon as possible, as fresh homemade whipped cream can fall flat quicker than store-bought whipped topping that’s made with stabilizers.
Absolutely. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw fully or partially, and enjoy!
Substitute in vanilla, french vanilla, chocolate or even lemon pudding mix for a different flavor profile.
As you build the pudding, let each layer sit for a few minutes to set up. This will ensure all of the ingredients set separately instead of mixing together, for nice and clean slices when serving.
More Dessert Recipes For A Crowd
- No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
- Poke Cake Carrot Cake
- No-Bake Dirt Cake Casserole
- Ice Cream Cake with Ice Cream Sandwiches
Banana Cream Cheese Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 11 oz box vanilla wafers
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1½ sticks butter melted
- 1 tub 24.3 oz Philadelphia cheesecake filling
- 4 large bananas sliced
- 2 3.4 oz boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold mill
- 1 tsp rum extract
- 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
- Extra wafers bananas & caramel for topping
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend wafers & sugar. Add melted butter, pulse to combine.
- Press in 9×13 pan (no bake).
- Spread cheesecake filling over crust. Add sliced bananas.
- Whisk pudding, milk & rum extract. Spread on bananas.
- Add more banana slices. Top with Cool Whip.
- Decorate with wafers, bananas & caramel. Chill 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy!
