Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding with Fresh Berries and Vanilla Wafers
By Emma Collins
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Use firm bananas that hold up after cutting and dried strawberries as toppings for a layered strawberry cheesecake banana pudding dessert․ The no-bake dessert includes vanilla wafers and cheesecake and pudding layers that are moist but firm enough to cut․
The cheesecake layer contains cream cheese‚ confectioners' sugar‚ vanilla extract‚ and whipped heavy cream to soft peaks․ Whipped topping is a possible alternative ingredient․ A separate thick layer contains instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk․ Layers of vanilla wafers‚ bananas‚ and strawberries are used in two places in the dessert‚ and the top layer of the dessert is covered with pudding․ Strawberries add tartness and freshness to other layers of the dessert that contain fruit․
Beat the whipped cream until soft peaks form and fold it slowly into the cream cheese to lighten‚ not add more fat‚ to the pudding․ The pudding should slice easily after chilling․ The pudding should be thick and creamy after chilling․ Wafers should soften during chilling‚ and the pudding should slice easily after chilling․ Potential problems include using overripe bananas and strawberries and not chilling or overmixing the pudding․
Serve chilled dessert in slices or scoops topped with whipped cream and extra strawberry slices‚ if desired․ Use chilled dessert for picnics and other parties‚ including baby showers and holiday celebrations․ Benefits of this recipe include ease of transporting covered dessert․ As noted by the recipe creator‚ this dessert is best consumed within 24 to 36 hours; strawberries will continue to release more juice․
Why you'll love this recipe
- Fully ripe bananas hold their shape well when chilled and have a good banana flavor without some of the texture problems of less ripe bananas․
- Fresh strawberries provide sour flavors to balance the sweet pudding filling․ Drying strawberries beforehand helps prevent the layers from mixing together․
- Cream cheese in the frosting helps stabilize it and makes it easier to slice into portions․ Vanilla and powdered sugar in the frosting help keep the frosting flavors from overpowering other flavors․
- Vanilla wafers absorb some liquid from the pudding‚ softening the plain cookies but not completely mixing them into the dessert․
- Cold milk firms up instant pudding to a consistency that is better for layering and other serving methods and prevents a runny texture․
- A 9x13-inch baking dish or trifle dish works well for this recipe‚ layered dishes will include pieces of bananas and berries‚ wafers‚ pudding‚ and cheesecake filling in each serving․
Ingredients
- •8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- •½ cup powdered sugar
- •1 tsp vanilla extract
- •1 cup heavy whipping cream (or whipped topping)
- •1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (5 oz)
- •2 cups milk (cold)
- •2 ripe bananas (2-3, sliced)
- •1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (sliced)
- •1 box vanilla wafers
Instructions
- 1
Beat the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth and lump-free.
- 2
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then mix until creamy.
- 3
Whip the heavy cream in a separate bowl to soft peaks.
- 4
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula.
- 5
Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk in another bowl for 2-3 minutes, until thickened.
- 6
Let the pudding rest for 5 minutes until fully set, smooth, and spreadable.
- 7
Place a layer of vanilla wafers in a 9×13-inch dish or trifle bowl.
- 8
Add a layer of sliced bananas.
- 9
Add a layer of sliced fresh strawberries.
- 10
Spread half of the cheesecake mixture over the fruit.
- 11
Spread half of the pudding over the cheesecake mixture.
- 12
Repeat the layers once more, finishing with pudding on top.
- 13
Smooth the surface gently with a spatula.
- 14
If desired, decorate with whipped topping and extra strawberries.
- 15
Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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