Banana Pudding Trifle

This Banana Pudding Trifle is a twist on the classic Southern dessert with the same flavors but layered in an impressive trifle dish! It’s the best no-bake dessert for any spring or summer party for impressing friends and family, plus it only takes 15 minutes to prep!

Whenever we have a large picnic or church potluck, I almost always look for a trifle recipe to make. They’re so simple to put together and require no baking. This Banana Pudding Trifle is one of my favorites since it’s inspired by my viral banana pudding recipe.

I assemble all the layers up in the morning and then let the trifle chill in the fridge until it’s time to bring to the party to serve. You would not believe how many compliments and requests for the recipe I get from my friends! The best part is they’re shocked to know it’s made with very affordable ingredients. If you love a trifle, my Berry Trifle and Chocolate Toffee Trifle are two others to try.

why you’ll love this recipe

• Best make ahead dessert for a crowd. There’s nothing more impressive than when a trifle comes to the table. This banana pudding version has everyone’s favorite flavors layered for the perfect bite.
• Easy to make with pantry staples. We always have leftover bananas in our house so this is a great way to repurpose them into a dessert quickly and easily with just a handful of other ingredients.
• A great no-bake treat. Forget turning on the oven or stove, it’s the perfect summertime dessert for beginner bakers to master.

ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below

Pudding Base

• Instant French vanilla pudding mix: Get the boxed kind, it’s easy and works great!
• Evaporated milk: Pop this into the fridge right when you get home. It needs to be cold to bloom the pudding mix.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness to the pudding mixture and gives it a beautiful creamy texture.

Cream Cheese Whip Layer

• Cream cheese: Soften this in advance for even mixing.
• Vanilla extract or paste: Adds both caramel and floral notes.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the mixture perfectly.
• Heavy whipping cream: Make sure this is also very cold to be able to whip into peaks for a light and airy texture.

Fresh Whipped Cream

• Heavy whipping cream: Base to any homemade whipped cream.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream and helps it to hold its shape.
• Vanilla extract: Always use pure extract, never imitation for the best flavor.

Layers

• Salted Caramel Chessmen Butter cookies (2 packages): Adds that rich, buttery shortbread flavor and pretty presentation. You can also use regular Chessmen cookies or vanilla wafers if you please.
• Ripe bananas: Make sure your bananas are very ripe for the best flavor. You’ll need 4 to 5 large.
• Salted caramel topping: Buy your favorite store-bought sauce.
• Garnish options: I love to garnish with fresh mint, dehydrated banana slices, fresh banana slices, or fresh whipped cream.

Tools You’ll Need

• Spatula
• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer 
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Trifle Dish

how to make banana puffing trifle

1. In a medium bowl, with a hand mixer mix together the pudding mix, chilled evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.

2. In another bowl with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.
3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat again until smooth.
4. With the mixer running on medium speed, slowly pour in heavy whipping cream. Once the mixture begins to thicken, whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.

5. Gently fold the whipped cream cheese mixture into the pudding mixture until combined.

6. For the fresh whipped cream, combine heavy whipping cream powered sugar, and vanilla extract in a tall bowl. Whip with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Create 2-3 sets of layers in a trifle dish with the pudding cream cheese mixture, fresh whipped cream, banana slices, salted caramel and Salted Caramel Chessmen cookies. End with fresh whipped cream on the top as well as crushed or whole cookies, salted caramel, and fresh mint (if desired).

8. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

expert tips

• Make sure your ingredients are chilled for the pudding and whipped cream. Heavy cream and the evaporated milk need to be very cold to whip to the correct consistency.
• Always allow your banana pudding trifle to set in the fridge for at least 4 hours. The flavors need to melt and the cookies needs to soften, just like with classic banana pudding. It’s worth the wait for the best bite!
• Do you prefer homemade pudding? I’ve got you! Simply make the cooked pudding mixture from my Baked Banana Pudding and let it cool before folding in the whipped cream cheese mixture.
• To layer your pudding and whipped cream layers nicely, you can pop the mixtures into piping bags and snip the corner (a ziptop bag works well too). This way you can pipe the layers into the dish rather than spread, for a bakery-worthy look!
• Try another cookie. You can swap the Salted Caramel Chessman for regular Chessmen, Lorna Doone, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or even chocolate or cinnamon cookies for a twist on the flavors.
• If you like a stronger banana flavor, use banana instant pudding mix. It’s equally as delicious.

storage

Store any leftover banana pudding trifle in the fridge for up to 3 days covered. I don’t recommend freezing the leftovers since they will change texture once they thaw.

It’s the best dessert to make ahead of time for a party. Since it needs to sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving, it makes dessert stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

more Southern Dessert Recipes

• Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
• Lazy Man’s Peach Cobbler
• Coconut Pound Cake
• Cushaw Pie