Showstopping Budget-Friendly Banana Pudding
Banana pudding — it’s an American classic, but as a native Brit, I had never even heard of it until I married my US husband. The first time I made it for my family, I knew I’d found something special. It’s now one of my all-time favorite desserts! But this isn’t your average banana pudding — it’s a showstopping budget-friendly trifle version that doesn’t require you having fresh (and expensive) bananas on hand!
If you want to impress your guests with a delicious and visually stunning dessert that’s bound to be a centerpiece, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in!
This recipe was inspired by the one I found on Six Sisters’ Stuff but I’ve made a few tweaks of my own to make it truly budget-friendly! With simple ingredients and a touch of elegance, this dessert will take any event to the next level.
First things first – equipment
Before we start, make sure you’ve got all the right tools. Here’s what I use to create this beauty:
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- Glass Trifle Bowl – It’s all about the presentation! Here’s my exact bowl that’s used in this recipe.
- Stand Mixer – Essential for whipping up that creamy, dreamy filling.
Pantry Staples
To make this in a jiffy it’s a good idea to have some pantry staples on hand – here’s what I keep in mine to help me whip up this dessert in no time!
- Instant Banana Pudding Mix – A pantry staple for a quick and easy dessert.
- Vanilla Wafers – Classic for that crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth layer.
- Vanilla Extract – Gives a sweet, rich flavor to any dessert.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – makes for a velvety-smooth pudding mix.
What’s So Special About Banana Pudding?
Banana pudding is a staple in American dessert tables, particularly in the southern United States. The recipe originated in the 19th century, and was inspired by European trifles, evolving into the creamy, layered delight we know today. Its simplicity makes it an accessible nostalgic treat for many.
Why Make a Banana Pudding Trifle?
So why turn a humble banana pudding into a trifle? It’s all about elevating the presentation. While traditional banana pudding tastes great, it often comes in a simple dish or casserole. Turning it into a trifle not only makes it visually stunning but also enhances the eating experience by presenting all those layers in their full glory. Just imagine serving a tall, glass trifle filled with alternating layers of creamy pudding, ripe bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers—it’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Now that we’re ready to go, let’s talk ingredients. One of the best things about this dessert is how accessible everything is. You probably already have most of these in your kitchen!
- Instant Banana Pudding Mix – This is the key secret ingredient for that smooth, banana flavor without needing real bananas on hand.
- Milk – To mix with the pudding, we use 2% in our family but any dairy milk should work.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – makes for the smoothest pudding mix.
- Cool whip – Light and airy budget-friendly freezer staple, the perfect partner to balance the richness of the cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese – Gives the trifle its velvety texture and cuts through the sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Vanilla Wafers – These cookies soften to perfection, adding a delightful texture to each bite.
- Optional Garnishes: We tend to just use a few crushed vanilla cookies to top our dessert but if you’re feeling extra bougie you could go for some caramel drizzle, chocolate shavings, or crushed nuts for an extra stunning finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Banana Pudding Trifle
Step 1: Beat the Cream Cheese
Start by beating the Cream cheese until soft.
Step 2: Whip Up the Pudding Mix
Once your cream cheese is beaten nicely then add your milk, condensed milk, vanilla extract and banana pudding mix. Whisk until smooth and combined. Then fold in half of the cool whip
Step 3: Start Layering
Now for the fun part: building the trifle! Start by arranging a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom of your glass trifle bowl. Then, follow up with a thick layer of the pudding mix, and repeat once more.
Make sure your top layer is a swirl of cool whip topped with your garnish of choice, in our case we just crushed up 2 vanilla cookies and crumbled those on top.
Step 5: Let It Chill
Your trifle is assembled, but it’s not ready just yet! To get the best texture, let the trifle chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and lets the vanilla wafers soften to perfection.
Trust me, the wait is worth it. Once it’s chilled, you’ll have a dessert that’s creamy, delicious, and ready to wow!
Step 6: Serve and Impress
When it’s time to serve, grab a large spoon and scoop down through the layers, making sure you get a bit of everything— wafers, pudding, and cream. Serve it in individual bowls or parfait glasses for a little extra flair.
This dessert is ideal for gatherings and celebrations, and it’ll be the star of any dessert table. Be prepared for requests for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
Tips and Tweaks for the Perfect Trifle
- Swap the Wafers: Want to mix things up? Try using shortbread or graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers for a different texture and flavor.
- Boozy Option: Drizzle a bit of rum or banana liqueur on the wafers for an adults-only version. Think ‘tropical banana flavoured tiramisu’ – phenomenal!
- Homemade Whipped Cream: If you have the time, homemade whipped cream makes all the difference. It’s lighter and fluffier than store-bought.
The Takeaway
This showstopping banana pudding trifle is the ultimate dessert centerpiece, perfect for any occasion. With its layers of creamy pudding, soft vanilla wafers and cool whip, it’s a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Full Recipe: The Best “No Banana” Pudding Trifle!
Ingredients:
- 1 (5.1 oz) boxes instant Jello-O Banana Cream Pudding Mix (if you can’t find the family sizes boxes 2 of the 3.4 oz boxes will do).
- 3 cups cold dairy milk (we use 2%)
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temp (we’re a military family and love the Freedom’s Choice range available from the Commissary, but any plain cream cheese will do!)
- 1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (16 oz) container cool whip, defrosted for 4 hours in the refrigerator
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers (or about 2/3 of the family sized boxes)
- Optional garnishes: crushed vanilla wafers, caramel drizzle, chocolate shavings, or crushed nuts.
Instructions:
1. Beat the cream cheese until softened.
2. Then add in your condensed milk, milk, vanilla extract and pudding mix – whisk until smooth and combined.
3. Then fold in half of the cool whip, making sure to make light movements and keep the mixture as fluffy as possible.
4. In a glass trifle bowl, begin layering: start with a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom. Add a layer of half the pudding mix and repeat once more with another layer of wafers and the other half of the pudding mix.
5. Top with a final layer of vanilla wafers and then top with the remainder of the cool whip.
6. Optional: Garnish the top of your trifle with crushed vanilla wafers, a drizzle of caramel, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of crushed nuts for added flair.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften.
8. When you’re ready to serve, use a large spoon to scoop down through the layers, ensuring each serving has a bit of every delicious component.
This banana pudding trifle is not just a dessert—it’s a statement! Perfect for any celebration, this beautiful and delectable dish will have your guests coming back for more. Enjoy!
The Best “No Banana” Pudding Trifle!
Ingredients
- 1 5.1 oz boxes instant Jello-O Banana Cream Pudding Mix (if you can’t find the family sizes boxes 2 of the 3.4 oz boxes will do).
- 3 cups cold dairy milk we use 2%
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened to room temp (we’re a military family and love the Freedom’s Choice range but any plain cream cheese will do!)
- 1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 16 oz container cool whip, defrosted for 4 hours in the refrigerator
- 1 11 oz box vanilla wafers (or about 2/3 of the family sized boxes)
- Optional garnishes: crushed vanilla wafers caramel drizzle, chocolate shavings, or crushed nuts.
Instructions
- 1. Beat the cream cheese until softened.2. Then add in your condensed milk, milk, vanilla extract and pudding mix – whisk until smooth and combined.3. Then fold in half of the cool whip, making sure to make light movements and keep the mixture as fluffy as possible.4. In a glass trifle bowl, begin layering: start with a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom. Add a layer of half the pudding mix and repeat once more with another layer of wafers and the other half of the pudding mix.5. Top with a final layer of vanilla wafers and then top with the remainder of the cool whip.6. Optional: Garnish the top of your trifle with crushed vanilla wafers, a drizzle of caramel, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of crushed nuts for added flair.7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften.8. When you’re ready to serve, use a large spoon to scoop down through the layers, ensuring each serving has a bit of every delicious component!
Notes
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Last update on 2025-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
