Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
A creamy layered dessert with bananas, strawberries, vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and cookies — somewhere between banana pudding, strawberry shortcake, and an icebox cake.
Serves
10–12
Ingredients
Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz each)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
Cream Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 container whipped topping (8 oz), thawed
Fruit
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
Cookie Layer
Choose one:
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- graham crackers
- shortbread cookies
Optional Add-Ins
- Strawberry glaze or jam
- White chocolate shavings
- Cheesecake pudding instead of vanilla
- Crushed freeze-dried strawberries
Instructions
1. Make pudding
In a large bowl whisk together:
- pudding mix
- milk
- vanilla
- sweetened condensed milk
Whisk 2 minutes until smooth.
Refrigerate 5 minutes to thicken.
2. Make cream mixture
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add powdered sugar and mix well.
Fold in whipped topping gently.
3. Combine
Fold half the pudding into the cream cheese mixture for extra fluffiness.
Keep remaining pudding separate for layering.
4. Assemble Layers
Use a 9×13 dish or trifle bowl.
Layer 1
Cookies
Layer 2
Bananas
Layer 3
Strawberries
Layer 4
Pudding
Layer 5
Cream mixture
Repeat layers as desired.
Finish with:
- whipped topping
- crushed cookies
- strawberries
5. Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least:
- 4 hours preferred
- overnight is best
Cookies soften into cake-like layers.
Texture Tips
For firmer slices
Freeze 30–45 minutes before serving.
For softer pudding dessert
Let sit overnight.
Easy Variations
Cheesecake Style
Use cheesecake pudding + extra cream cheese.
Tropical
Add pineapple and toasted coconut.
Chocolate Lover’s
Use chocolate pudding and chocolate wafers.
Lighter Version
Use:
- sugar-free pudding
- light whipped topping
- reduced-fat cream cheese
Serving Ideas
Top with:
- fresh mint
- caramel drizzle
- white chocolate curls
- crushed freeze-dried strawberries
Serve cold.
Storage
- Best within 2 days
- Bananas soften after day 2
- Keep refrigerated
