Banana Pudding Lush
Banana Pudding Lush is a no-bake layered Southern dessert featuring a buttery vanilla wafer crust, creamy cream cheese and banana pudding layers, topped with whipped cream and crushed cookies. It's easy to make, perfect for summer and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake (except crust baking)
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 box vanilla wafers, crushed (about 2½ cups crumbs)
1/2 cup melted butter
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), divided
2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant banana pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
2 ripe bananas, sliced (for garnish)
Crushed vanilla wafers (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter. Press into bottom of 9x13-inch dish. Bake 10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 1½ cups whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust.
- Whisk banana pudding mixes with cold milk until thickened (about 2 minutes). Pour over cream cheese layer and spread evenly.
- Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer, smoothing out.
- Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours until set.
- Before serving, garnish with sliced bananas. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- To prevent bananas from browning, toss slices in lemon juice before garnishing.
- You can substitute sugar-free pudding mix, but texture and sweetness may vary.
- Baking the crust adds crunch and helps it set.
- Homemade whipped cream can replace Cool Whip for fresher taste.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours for best results.
- Freezing is not recommended as it affects texture.
- Vanilla wafers can be replaced with graham crackers or shortbread cookies.
- For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese, whipped topping, and pudding mix.
- Other fruits like strawberries or blueberries can be added between layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/banana-pudding-lush/
