Creamy No-Bake Banana Pudding Trifle
A quick and easy no-bake dessert featuring layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and a creamy pudding mixture made with cream cheese and whipped topping. Perfect for any occasion and ready in under 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- About 40 vanilla wafers (around 9 ounces or 255 grams)
- 4 medium ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 package (3.4 ounces or 96 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold whole milk
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 cups (about 480 ml) thawed whipped topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and slice 4 medium bananas into 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick rounds. Toss immediately with 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium bowl to prevent browning. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces (225 g) softened cream cheese with 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Whisk the 3.4-ounce (96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups (480 ml) cold whole milk in a separate bowl until thickened, about 2 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes to fully set.
- Gently fold the prepared pudding into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix.
- Carefully fold in 2 cups (480 ml) thawed whipped topping using a spatula. The mixture should be light, fluffy, and creamy without lumps.
- In your trifle bowl, start with a layer of vanilla wafers (about 1/3 of the total). Next, add a layer of banana slices, then a generous layer of pudding mixture. Repeat layers twice more, ending with pudding on top.
- Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This allows the wafers to soften slightly and flavors to meld.
- Right before serving, garnish with a few whole vanilla wafers and banana slices for a pretty finish.
Notes
Use lemon juice on bananas to prevent browning. Fold whipped topping gently to keep mixture light and fluffy. Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Vanilla wafers should not be crushed to maintain texture contrast. Chilling for at least 4 hours is recommended for best flavor melding; 2 hours is acceptable but less optimal. Can substitute almond milk and dairy-free cream cheese for a dairy-free version. Gluten-free cookies can replace vanilla wafers for gluten-free diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200 gra
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Protein: 5
Keywords: no-bake, banana pudding, trifle, easy dessert, creamy, vanilla wafers, quick dessert, homemade dessert