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🍓🍌 Strawberry Banana Pudding 🍨 – Creamy, Fruity, and Irresistible
If comfort desserts had a champion, it would be this Strawberry Banana Pudding. Layered with sweet vanilla pudding, fresh bananas and strawberries, and the iconic crunch of vanilla wafers, this dessert is creamy, fruity, and perfectly balanced. It’s a crowd-pleaser, a family favorite, and honestly, a little slice of heaven in every spoonful. Whether you’re making it for a potluck, a birthday, or just to treat yourself, this pudding never fails to delight.
🧺 Ingredients
Pudding Base:
- 1 box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Fruity Layer:
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Creamy Layer:
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Crunchy Layer:
- 1 box vanilla wafers
Optional for garnish: fresh strawberry slices, banana slices, or crushed wafers
🥄 Instructions & Methods
Step 1: Prepare the Pudding
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vanilla instant pudding and cold milk for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully incorporated. This adds extra creaminess and sweetness.
- Fold in half of the whipped topping gently to make the pudding light and airy.
Step 2: Assemble the Layers
- In a 9×13-inch dish (or individual cups for serving), start with a layer of vanilla wafers.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas and strawberries over the wafers.
- Pour a portion of the pudding mixture over the fruit and spread evenly.
- Repeat layers: wafers → fruit → pudding until all ingredients are used, finishing with a pudding layer on top.
- Smooth the remaining whipped topping over the final layer of pudding.
Step 3: Chill & Serve
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld, the wafers to soften slightly, and the pudding to set beautifully.
- Just before serving, garnish with extra strawberries, banana slices, or crushed wafers for that Instagram-worthy look.
📜 History & Formation
Strawberry Banana Pudding is a modern twist on the classic Southern banana pudding, which traditionally features layers of vanilla pudding, banana slices, and Nilla wafers. Its roots go back to the early 20th century when instant puddings became widely available, making this creamy, layered dessert easier and faster to prepare. Over time, adding strawberries elevated the flavor profile, creating a vibrant, fruity variation that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
💡 Tips & Methods for Lovers of Dessert
- Banana selection: Choose bananas that are ripe but not overly mushy. This keeps your pudding sweet without turning it into a mushy mess.
- Strawberries: Fresh, firm strawberries add color and slight tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Texture lovers: Layering wafers on top before the final pudding layer keeps a slight crunch even after chilling.
- Make ahead: This dessert tastes even better the next day, as the flavors meld beautifully.
🥰 Conclusion
This Strawberry Banana Pudding is more than just a dessert; it’s a little love letter in a dish. Creamy, fruity, sweet, and satisfying, it’s perfect for families, potlucks, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of layered desserts. Every spoonful brings together the smoothness of pudding, the natural sweetness of fruit, and the gentle crunch of wafers — a combination that has dessert lovers swooning.
🍓 Lovers’ Notes:
- Perfect for summer gatherings or Valentine’s Day treats.
- Serve chilled with a dollop of extra whipped topping for a restaurant-quality presentation.
- Pair with coffee or sparkling water for a refreshing contrast.
If you want, I can also make a “super fancy version” of this recipe with layered individual parfait cups, which doubles the wow factor for guests or Instagram posts.
Do you want me to make that version too?