Strawberry banana pudding is a delicious twist on the classic banana pudding, adding layers of sweet jammy strawberries in between the layers of creamy pudding, sliced bananas, whipped cream and crunchy cookies. This no bake strawberry and banana pudding is easy to make and is the perfect fresh, but decadent dessert.
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Why Should You Make This Recipe
I love using strawberries for to add a fresh flavor to dessert recipes on the blog. My Strawberry Tiramisu, Strawberry Mousse, Strawberry Parfait, No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake and Strawberry Tres Leches are just a few of my favorite fresh strawberry dessert recipes. I am so excited to add this bright, fresh and creamy strawberry banana pudding recipe to the blog. I know you’ll love this recipe because:
- Super simple to make. Make this wonderfully easy layered strawberry and banana pudding in about 30 minutes. Then allow the dessert to sit in the fridge for at a bit to set up and enjoy.
- The perfect make ahead, no bake dessert. Make this banana pudding with strawberries dessert in the morning to enjoy for dessert later that day.
- Fresh twist on a classic. Although the classic banana pudding is incredibly delicious on it’s own, adding layers of jammy strawberries adds a fresh flavor twist that is irresistible.
Ingredients
This strawberry banana pudding recipe needs only a handful of ingredients to make and you probably already have them in your pantry and fridge. Here’s what you will need to make this creamy dessert.
- Strawberry Sauce Layer: Gather strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice.
- Banana Pudding Layer: Gather instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, heavy cream, fresh bananas and Nilla wafer cookies.
Substitutions
Here are my recommended substitutions to make this easy banana pudding with strawberries dessert if you need them.
- Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe and sweet strawberries. Taste the strawberries to ensure they are sweet. If needed, add a little more sugar to taste. Feel free to use any fresh, in season berries in place of the strawberries.
- Vanilla Pudding Mix: For this banana strawberry pudding dessert, I used jello vanilla pudding mix . You could also use banana flavored pudding mix for even more banana flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: This is more for background flavor and nicely enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Milk: Use any type of milk you like.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Condensed milk is the same as sweetened condensed milk.
- Heavy Cream: Feel free to use cool whip in place of the sweetened heavy cream. Although the whipped cream is perfect for making banana pudding.
- Powdered Sugar: I prefer using powdered sugar to sweeten the whipped cream because powdered sugar contains cornstarch which acts as a stabilizer for the whipped cream.
- Nilla Wafers: Feel free to use your preferred crunchy sweet cookie. Graham crackers are a close substitute for Nilla wafers. You can also use mini Nilla wafers if you choose to assemble the banana pudding strawberry dessert in individual cups.
How To Make
Learn how to make strawberry banana pudding in a few easy steps.
- Place the clean, hulled and sliced strawberries into a saucepan. Mix the strawberries with sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Cook the strawberries over medium-high heat for about 5 - 6 minutes, stirring frequently. The berries should start to break down, thicken and create a sweet strawberry sauce with larger strawberry pieces. Transfer the strawberries to a heat safe bowl to cool completely to room temperature before using in the banana pudding.
- Make the pudding and whipped cream layers. In a large mixing bowl mix the cold milk, vanilla pudding, vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and well combined. Set aside for now.
3. In another mixing bowl make the whipped cream by whisking the heavy cream and powdered sugar for 5 - 6 minutes or until the whipped cream whips to medium stiff peaks. Scoop out about 1 ½ cups of whipped cream and set aside. This is for the whipped cream layer. Fold the remaining whipped cream into the vanilla pudding mix.
4. Assemble the strawberry banana pudding. When you are ready to assemble the banana strawberry pudding, first decide what dish or container you would like to assemble the banana pudding in. Slice the bananas into rounds and gather the Nilla wafers. Place a dollop of pudding in the bottom of the glass or serving dish. Top the dollop with a layer of Nilla wafers. Break the cookies as needed to get them to fit into a layer. Top the cookies with a layer of sliced bananas, followed by a layer of pudding and then a layer of strawberry sauce. Repeat 1 - 2 more times to get a pretty layered look, ending with a layer of whipped cream and a bit more strawberry sauce and crushed vanilla cookies if you like. Transfer the strawberry banana pudding to chill and set in the fridge for 2 - 3 hours and enjoy.
How To Make Ahead and Store
- Make Ahead: This easy strawberry and banana dessert can be made up to 1 day before serving. Just make sure to keep the dish covered with plastic wrap.
- Store: Make sure the banana and strawberry pudding is completely covered with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days after making. For the best strawberry banana pudding, enjoy within 1 day of making.
M’s Expert Tips
- Use sweet, ripe strawberries. Make sure the strawberries are in season (when possible), are red, ripe and taste delicious. Good strawberries go a long way to making this the best strawberry banana pudding.
- Choose a clear serving dish. One of the delightful things about banana strawberry pudding is how pretty the layers look. Make sure to choose a clear serving dish or cup if you have one.
- Choose smaller serving cups. I found a 8 oz. glass cups or serving bowls to the perfect size for these strawberry banana pudding desserts. This dessert also looks beautiful when layered in a traditional trifle dish.
- Use a piping bag or cookie scoops. Using a piping bag or cookie scoop allows the layers to be even and easily controlled.
- Allow for the full amount of chilling time. This pudding dessert needs a bit of time to chill in the fridge. After assembling the layered strawberry and banana pudding, allow the dessert to chill for about 2 - 3 hours.
- Add nuts if you like. For some extra crunch, add some nuts to the layers of banana pudding and strawberry sauce.
FAQs
The bananas are optional in this banana and strawberry pudding recipe. Feel free to omit the bananas if you don’t want banana flavor or swap the vanilla pudding for banana instant pudding if you prefer to keep the banana flavor, but don’t want to use fresh bananas.
Fresh strawberries create the best strawberry sauce, but frozen strawberries can be used to make the strawberry sauce.
I love the appearance of strawberry sauce against the layers of banana pudding, but feel free to use fresh sliced strawberries or macerated strawberries in place of the strawberry sauce.
Swap the individual trifle glasses used in this recipe or a large trifle dish or even a large baking dish. The only change that needs to be made is in the dish, but the recipe and order of layers remains the same.
Feel free to swap the strawberries with any other berries. You will need about 4 cups of berries to create the berry sauce. Prepare the rest of the recipe as written.
This easy and fresh strawberry and banana pudding dessert can last about 2 days when stored in the fridge.
Other Banana Pudding Recipes to Try
If you try this Strawberry Banana Pudding recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking! Happy Baking! - M
Strawberry Banana Pudding Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium sauce pan
- 1 knife
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 1 stand mixer with whisk attachment or hand mixer with beaters
- 1 cookie scoop optional
Ingredients
Strawberry Sauce
- 4 cups fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Banana Pudding
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold milk
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 (3.4 oz.) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) powdered sugar
- 4 medium or large bananas
- 11 oz. box Nilla wafers
Instructions
- Place the clean, hulled and sliced strawberries into a saucepan. Mix the strawberries with sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Cook the strawberries over medium-high heat for about 5 - 6 minutes, stirring frequently. The berries should start to break down, thicken and create a sweet strawberry sauce with larger strawberry pieces. Transfer the strawberries to a heat safe bowl to cool completely to room temperature before using in the banana pudding.4 cups fresh strawberries, ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Make the pudding and whipped cream layers. In a large mixing bowl mix the cold milk, vanilla pudding, vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and well combined. Set aside for now.2 cups (480 ml) cold milk, 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk, 2 (3.4 oz.) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- In another mixing bowl make the whipped cream by whisking the heavy cream and powdered sugar for 5 - 6 minutes or until the whipped cream whips to medium stiff peaks. Scoop out about 1 ½ cups of whipped cream and set aside. This is for the whipped cream layer. Fold the remaining whipped cream into the vanilla pudding mix.2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons (15 g) powdered sugar
- When you are ready to assemble the banana strawberry pudding, first decide what dish or container you would like to assemble the banana pudding in. Slice the bananas into rounds and gather the Nilla wafers.4 medium or large bananas, 11 oz. box Nilla wafers
- Place a dollop of pudding in the bottom of the glass or serving dish. Top the dollop with a layer of Nilla wafers. Break the cookies as needed to get them to fit into a layer. Top the cookies with a layer of sliced bananas, followed by a layer of pudding and then a layer of strawberry sauce. Repeat 1 - 2 more times to get a pretty layered look, ending with a layer of whipped cream and a bit more strawberry sauce and crushed vanilla cookies if you like. Transfer the strawberry banana pudding to chill and set in the fridge for 2 - 3 hours and enjoy.
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