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Banana pudding is a glorious thing.  It’s luscious and decadent.  It’s not overly complicated, which makes it even better when you want dessert NOW! I’ve made several different variations of banana pudding in the past, but this one might be my best version yet.  With the addition of a crushed, buttery and baked crust these banana pudding bars are mouth watering.

I made these for our Mother’s Day dinner this year. I served it in an 8 x 8 pan and there were only five small pieces left when all was said and done. Later that night, I ate one piece while watching Game of Thrones and photographed the rest of them the next day. I hope you enjoy this recipe and share this delicious dessert with your family and friends!

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Banana Pudding Bars

Banana Pudding Bars
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These banana pudding bars will be a huge hit at your next party!  It’s also equally satisfying when served as a week night dessert or simply eating late at night while binge watching whatever TV show you’re hooked on now. Enjoy!! 

  • Author: Amy Post
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: Sweets
  • Method: Bake + Chill

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups vanilla flavored wafer cookies, crushed, plus more for garnish (optional)
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon (I’m usually heavy handed with cinnamon and in this case, you’ll be fine with either measure)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 medium ripe bananas, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounce package of softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your taste)
  • 2 cups sweetened whipped topping, homemade or store bought (1 cup in each layer)
  • 1 small package banana pudding powdered mix
  • 1 1/4 cup cold milk

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine melted butter, salt, crushed vanilla wafer cookies and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 8 pan.  Press the mixture down firmly until its in an even layer.  Also be sure to go halfway up the sides of the pan.
  3. Place the crust in the oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.  Remove it from the oven and cool the crust before moving forward with the next steps.*
  4. Slice the ripe bananas into small thin discs.  Add the sliced bananas to the top of the crust.  You want to make sure you have enough banana slices to completely cover the top of the cooled crust. 
  5. Beat the softened cream cheese with a hand held mixer on medium speed for a few minutes or until smooth.  Add in the granulated sugar and beat on medium speed until it’s even combined.  Stir in 1/4 cup of the sweetened whipped topping to combine.  Then gently fold in 3/4 cup of sweetened whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture.  Spread this mixture over the bananas in an even layer.  You may need to drop spoonfuls of it to help make sure the banana layer remains intact.
  6. Add the powered banana pudding mix to a medium sized bowl.  Whisk in the cold milk for 2 minutes or until it’s completely combined and THICK. Repeat the same process of adding the sweetened whipped topping.  Stir in 1/4 cup to combine, then gently fold in the remaining 3/4 cup.  Carefully spread the pudding mixture in an even layer on top of the cream cheese mixture.  Again adding dollops of the pudding to make sure the cream cheese layer remains intact.
  7. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid, plastic wrap or even aluminum foil.  Place the pan in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours.*
  8. You may garnish the dessert with the toppings of your choice.*

Notes

*You may want to give yourself 10 – 20 minutes to allow it to cool.  Or you can move ahead with the next steps and just add them to the crust after it’s cooled instead of doing it as you go.  Do whatever is easier for you.

*I recommend keeping this in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.  Store in the refrigerator for a few days.  The dessert begins to get a little soggy due to the bananas.

*Garnish with more of the crushed vanilla flavored wafer cookies, more sweetened whipped topping, nuts, banana slices, etc.  Garnish to your heart’s desire!!

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