Description
Southern charm meets dessert innovation in this banana pudding lasagna that layers creamy textures and nostalgic flavors. Banana lovers will savor each sweet, cool bite of this crowd-pleasing Southern classic you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafer cookies (11 oz/311 g)
- 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz/96 g)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 package cream cheese, softened (8 oz/226 g)
- 1 tub whipped topping (Cool Whip) (8 oz/226 g)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Crushed vanilla wafers
- Caramel drizzle
- Extra banana slices
Instructions
- Pudding Preparation: Whisk vanilla pudding mix with cold milk, letting it thicken and develop a rich, creamy texture for optimal consistency.
- Cream Cheese Fusion: Blend cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until achieving a velvety, smooth mixture that forms the base of the dessert’s luxurious filling.
- Layering Foundation: Establish the base of the dessert by strategically placing vanilla wafers across the bottom of a rectangular baking dish, creating a crisp, uniform foundation.
- Banana Placement: Artfully arrange sliced bananas over the wafer layer, ensuring complete and even coverage to maximize fruit distribution throughout the dessert.
- First Filling Layer: Spread half of the pudding-cream cheese blend over the banana layer, creating a sumptuous and uniform coating that melds the flavors together.
- Secondary Layering: Repeat the stratification process by adding another set of vanilla wafers, followed by an additional layer of banana slices and the remaining pudding mixture.
- Topping Finale: Generously cover the entire dessert with a smooth layer of whipped topping, ensuring complete coverage and an elegant, finished appearance.
- Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of four hours, allowing the flavors to meld, layers to set, and creating a perfectly chilled treat.
- Presentation Enhancement: Just before serving, elevate the dessert’s visual appeal by sprinkling crushed vanilla wafers, garnishing with fresh banana slices, or drizzling a decadent caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Prevent Banana Browning: Toss sliced bananas in lemon juice to maintain their fresh, golden color and prevent quick oxidation.
- Achieve Creamy Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to prevent lumps and create a smooth, velvety filling.
- Optimal Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours or overnight for maximum flavor melding and firmer texture.
- Texture Preservation Tip: Layer wafers just before serving to maintain their crunch and prevent soggy bottom layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg