Go Back

Banana Pudding Dessert Cups - A Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Treat

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Vanilla pudding: 2 cups prepared vanilla pudding (homemade or instant mix)
  • Cream cheese: 4 oz, softened
  • Sweetened condensed milk: 1/3 cup
  • Heavy cream: 1 cup (or use whipped topping, about 2 cups)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Bananas: 3–4 medium, ripe but firm
  • Cookies: 2–3 cups vanilla wafer cookies or shortbread (lightly crushed)
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon (to keep bananas from browning)
  • Powdered sugar: 2–3 tablespoons (for whipping cream; skip if using whipped topping)
  • Pinch of salt (optional, to balance sweetness)
  • Garnish: extra cookie crumbs or banana slices

Method
 

  1. Whip the cream. In a cold bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar to medium peaks. Set aside. If using whipped topping, skip this step.
  2. Make the creamy base. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until silky with no lumps.
  3. Fold in pudding. Stir the prepared vanilla pudding into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in the whipped cream gently to keep it airy.
  4. Prep the bananas. Slice bananas about 1/4-inch thick. Toss lightly with lemon juice to slow browning. Pat dry with a paper towel if needed.
  5. Crush the cookies. Place cookies in a zip-top bag and lightly crush with a rolling pin. Aim for small chunks, not fine crumbs, for better texture.
  6. Layer the cups. Add 1–2 tablespoons of crushed cookies to the bottom of each cup. Add a spoonful of pudding mixture, then a layer of banana slices. Repeat the layers until you reach the top.
  7. Top and chill. Finish with a swirl of pudding mixture and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs. Cover and chill for at least 2–4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
  8. Garnish before serving. Add fresh banana slices just before serving, or a dusting of cookie crumbs for a clean look.