Meet your new favorite no-bake dessert: Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream. This vibrant, creamy treat combines luscious layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, sweet strawberries, and a silky French vanilla pudding that’s utterly irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or planning a cozy family dinner, Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream delivers nostalgia and smiles with every spoonful. It’s easy to make, gorgeous to present, and blissful to eat!

Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how simple yet essential each ingredient is in building the Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream. Every item contributes a unique texture, flavor, or burst of color, and together, they create pure dessert magic!

Vanilla Wafers: These classic cookies add the perfect sweet crunch and sturdy base for those delicious layers.
Bananas (6 to 8, sliced): Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth feel that pairs beautifully with the pudding.
Milk (2 cups): The foundation for a rich, smooth pudding—whole milk gives the best results!
Strawberries (1 container): Fresh strawberries offer juicy tartness and a beautiful pop of color all throughout the dish.
French Vanilla Pudding (1 x 5 oz. box): This pudding mix boosts the dreamy vanilla aroma and texture of the filling.
Cream Cheese (8 oz.): Softened cream cheese creates a luxuriously thick and tangy base that keeps each layer decadent.
Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 oz. can): This creamy-sweet addition ensures your pudding is perfectly smooth and indulgent.
Whipped Topping (12 oz. container): A fluffy cloud to finish off the Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream—it helps bind everything and adds airy sweetness.

How to Make Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream

Step 1: Make the Creamy Pudding Base

Start by placing the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or sturdy whisk to blend until the mixture is silky and free of any lumps. This is where your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream gets its signature richness—don’t rush this part!

Step 2: Mix in the Pudding and Milk

Add the French vanilla pudding mix and cold milk to your cream cheese mixture. Stir or beat well until completely combined and the pudding starts to thicken. The pudding is what creates that luscious, spoonable filling everyone raves about.

Step 3: Prepare the Fruit and Cookies

Slice your bananas into thick, hearty coins and hull and slice your strawberries. These fresh fruits will bring brightness and summery sweetness to every bite of the Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream.

Step 4: Start Layering in the Serving Dish

In a large trifle bowl or deep casserole dish, start with a generous layer of vanilla wafers. Next, arrange a layer of banana slices and then scatter over some sliced strawberries. This is where you can get creative with patterns for a stunning presentation.

Step 5: Add the Pudding Mixture and Repeat

Pour half the creamy pudding mixture evenly over the fruit and wafers. Repeat with another layer of cookies, bananas, and strawberries, then cover with the rest of the pudding. Finish with a smooth, thick layer on top for maximum drama and richness.

Step 6: Finish with Whipped Topping

Spread the whipped topping in a thick, fluffy layer over everything. If you like, create soft peaks or swoops for extra visual appeal. Cover and refrigerate your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream for at least four hours—overnight is even better, so all those flavors meld together!

How to Serve Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream

Garnishes

Elevate your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream table-side by garnishing with extra slices of fresh strawberries and bananas, a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers, and maybe even a few mint leaves for a burst of color. Fancy, homestyle, or somewhere in between—the choice is yours!

Side Dishes

This dreamy dessert pairs well with lighter sides like a fresh fruit salad or lemon sorbet. If you want to lean into classic comfort, serve with hot coffee or a frosty glass of lemonade to balance the sweet layers of your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream.

Creative Ways to Present

Try making individual trifles in small jars or clear glasses—perfect for picnics or parties. For a fun twist, use mini dessert cups or even waffle bowls. Let the beautiful layers of your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream shine through for maximum wow factor!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any remaining Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they mingle, though the bananas may darken slightly over time. Give it a gentle stir before serving if needed.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this dessert due to the high water content in the fruit and the creamy base. Freezing can cause the pudding layers to separate and the fruit to become mushy, losing the signature flavor and texture of your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream.

Reheating

This dessert is meant to be enjoyed chilled and straight from the fridge. If it’s been sitting out for a while and you like it super cold, pop it back into the fridge for thirty minutes before serving. Reheating is not needed or recommended.

FAQs

Can I use instant pudding instead of cook-and-serve?

Absolutely! Instant French vanilla pudding works perfectly and keeps your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream quick and easy, with no need for stove time.

What can I substitute for whipped topping?

If you prefer something homemade, lightly sweetened, freshly whipped cream is a wonderful substitute for store-bought whipped topping. Just whip heavy cream to soft peaks and spread it on top.

How do I keep the bananas from turning brown?

The layers of pudding and whipped topping help protect the bananas, but you can also dip banana slices in a little lemon juice before layering to help preserve their color without affecting the overall sweetness.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten free?

Definitely! Look for gluten-free vanilla wafer cookies to make your Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream safe for gluten-free friends and family without sacrificing any flavor or crunch.

Can I add other fruits to this dessert?

Yes! Feel free to fold in blueberries, raspberries, or even peaches with your strawberries and bananas for a tailor-made Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream bursting with extra fresh fruit goodness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a no-fuss, utterly delicious crowd-pleaser, Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream is it. You’ll fall in love with its creamy layers and fresh fruit flavors, and so will everyone you share it with. Go ahead, try it out—your dessert game is about to get a whole lot dreamier!

Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 13 reviews

Author: Patricia
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful and creamy dessert combining the flavors of strawberries and bananas with a rich pudding base.

Ingredients

Vanilla Wafer Layer:

2 boxes Vanilla Wafers

Fruit Layer:

6 to 8 bananas, sliced
1 container strawberries

Pudding Mixture:

2 cups milk
1 (5 oz.) box French Vanilla pudding
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz.) container whipped topping

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Instructions

Mix Cream Cheese and Sweetened Condensed Milk: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Add Pudding and Milk: Add the French Vanilla pudding and milk to the mixture and stir until well combined.
Layer Ingredients: In a large serving dish, layer the vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of sliced bananas and strawberries.
Add Pudding Mixture: Pour half of the pudding mixture over the fruit and wafers.
Repeat Layering: Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing with the pudding mixture on top.
Top with Whipped Topping: Spread the whipped topping over the final layer and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.