Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding

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Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive, full-bodied recipe and guide for Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding — a decadent fusion of Southern comfort and sweet elegance that will make your dessert table shine.

🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding 🍌

A luscious, layered dessert with creamy cheesecake pudding, fresh strawberries, and ripe bananas over vanilla wafers.

📝 Introduction

Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding is a delightful twist on the classic Southern banana pudding, blending the creamy richness of cheesecake with the bright sweetness of strawberries. This no-bake dessert is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, or summer picnics. With layers of fruit, pudding, and cookies, it’s a spoonful of nostalgia and indulgence in every bite.

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 8–10)

✅ For the Cheesecake Pudding Base

  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1½ cups cold whole milk
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped (or 1 tub Cool Whip)

✅ For the Fruit and Layering

  • 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 box vanilla wafers or golden butter cookies
  • Optional: Strawberry sauce or preserves for drizzling

🍽️ Instructions

1. Make the Cheesecake Pudding Layer

  • In a bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix and cold milk. Set aside to thicken (about 5 minutes).
  • In a separate large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat until well blended.
  • Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture.
  • Gently fold in the whipped cream or Cool Whip until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Fruit

  • Wash, hull, and slice strawberries.
  • Slice bananas just before assembling to prevent browning (you can toss them in lemon juice to slow oxidation).

3. Assemble the Layers

In a trifle dish, glass bowl, or 9×13 baking dish:

  • Start with a layer of vanilla wafers.
  • Add a layer of sliced bananas and strawberries.
  • Spread a layer of the cheesecake pudding mixture.
  • Repeat the layers (wafers, fruit, pudding) until the dish is full.
  • Top with additional whipped cream and decorate with crushed cookies, fresh strawberries, or a strawberry drizzle.

4. Chill

  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) to allow flavors to meld and the cookies to soften.

🧠 Brief History

Banana pudding is a cherished Southern dessert that dates back to the late 19th century, popularized by Nabisco’s vanilla wafers in the 1920s. The cheesecake twist adds a layer of luxury borrowed from New York-style cheesecake and strawberry shortcake traditions, creating a hybrid dessert that feels both nostalgic and gourmet.

🌟 Benefits

  • No-bake: Perfect for hot days.
  • Kid-friendly: Sweet, fruity, and fun to assemble.
  • Make-ahead: Tastes better when chilled overnight.
  • Balanced: Creamy, fruity, crunchy, and just sweet enough.

🏗️ Formation Tips

  • Glass dish = visual appeal: Show off the layers!
  • Firm bananas: Too ripe, and they’ll turn mushy.
  • Cream cheese should be softened to avoid lumps.
  • Fold gently: So the whipped cream stays airy.
  • Try Biscoff cookies or graham crackers for variation.

🍴 Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: 390
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Sugar: 34g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Calcium: High from dairy

(Note: Nutrition may vary based on ingredients used.)

🫶 Lovers of This Dessert Say…

“It tastes like strawberry cheesecake and banana pudding had a delicious baby!”
“The creaminess of the cheesecake layer makes it so decadent — my grandma said it’s better than Magnolia Bakery’s!”
“We served this at our family reunion and it disappeared in minutes!”

🔁 Variations & Method Options

  • Add strawberry Jell-O to half the pudding mix for a pink layer.
  • Swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries.
  • Make individual parfaits in jars or cups.
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of some cream cheese for a lighter version.

🎯 Conclusion

Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding is not just a dessert—it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and tradition. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, a barbecue, or a casual weekend treat, this dish is guaranteed to delight. Its colorful layers and rich taste make it a showstopper that’s as easy to prepare as it is to devour.

If you’d like a printable or sharable version, I can format it for that too! Want to add a boozy twist or a sugar-free version? Just say the word!

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