Banana Pudding

Name: No-Bake Banana Pudding with Shortbread
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (3.4 oz) instant French vanilla pudding mix; 1 can (12 fl oz) evaporated milk, chilled; 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 2 packages (7.25 oz each) shortbread cookies; 4-5 bananas, ripe but firm; Mint sprig, for garnish; Dried banana chips, for garnish

This no-bake banana pudding combines layers of shortbread cookies, fresh banana slices, and a creamy pudding made with cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped cream—requiring no oven and minimal prep.

🌍American 🏷️Banana pudding 🏷️Dessert 🏷️No-bake 🏷️Creamy 🏷️Southern

🏷️Comfort-food

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

4h 20m

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

1 box (3.4 oz) instant French vanilla pudding mix
1 can (12 fl oz) evaporated milk, chilled
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 packages (7.25 oz each) shortbread cookies
4-5 bananas, ripe but firm
Mint sprig, for garnishoptional
Dried banana chips, for garnishoptional

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the instant pudding mix and chilled evaporated milk. Beat with a hand mixer for about 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
2
Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix again until well combined.
3
Cover and refrigerate the pudding mixture while you prepare the cream cheese base.
4
In a separate large bowl, add the softened cream cheese and beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
5
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
6
Slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream while mixing on high speed. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
7
Remove the pudding mixture from the refrigerator and add it to the whipped cream cheese mixture.
8
Gently fold the two mixtures together with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
9
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, arrange a single layer of shortbread cookies on the bottom.
10
Top the cookies with an even layer of sliced bananas.
11
Spread half of the pudding mixture evenly over the bananas.
12
Add another layer of sliced bananas.
13
Spread the remaining pudding mixture over the second layer of bananas.
14
Arrange a final layer of shortbread cookies on top.
15
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the pudding layer.
Chill the evaporated milk before combining with pudding mix for faster and smoother mixing.
Layer cookies, banana slices, and pudding in a clear dish to showcase the beautiful strata.
Fold whipped cream gently into the pudding mixture to maintain airiness—don't overmix.

Substitutions

Instant French vanilla pudding mix → instant vanilla pudding mix (similar flavor, same measurement)
Shortbread cookies → vanilla wafers or Nilla wafers (lighter texture, fewer crumbs)
Heavy whipping cream → heavy cream or heavy whip (same product, regional naming)
Cream cheese → mascarpone (richer, more delicate flavor; reduce by 1 oz)

Storage & make-ahead

Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Best served chilled; do not freeze as whipped cream separates. Assemble pudding layers ahead and add fresh banana slices just before serving.

Equipment

9x13 inch baking dish or large trifle bowl · electric mixer or whisk

Common Questions

Can I make this banana pudding ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add banana slices just before serving to prevent browning.

What's the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk?

Evaporated milk is unsweetened with water removed; sweetened condensed milk contains added sugar. Both are necessary for the correct texture and flavor.