Description

This Best Strawberry Banana Pudding is a luscious, creamy dessert featuring layered vanilla and banana cream puddings, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk. Combined with fresh bananas, strawberries, crunchy Chessman butter cookies, and Nilla wafers, it’s topped with fluffy Cool Whip and optional strawberry glaze for a beautiful and delicious treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pudding Base

1 (3.4 ounce) box Vanilla pudding mix
1 (3.4 ounce) box Banana cream pudding mix
4 cups very cold 2% or whole milk

Cream Cheese Mixture

8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Toppings and Layers

2 containers Cool Whip (one for pudding mixture, one for topping)
1 pack Chessman butter cookies
1 box Nilla wafers
2 bananas, thinly sliced
1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced
1 cup strawberry glaze (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Prepare the pudding: In a large bowl, add both the vanilla pudding mix and banana cream pudding mix. Pour in 4 cups of very cold milk. Using an electric mixer, blend the milk into the pudding mixes until fully combined and thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Make the cream cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sweetened condensed milk. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
Combine puddings and fold in Cool Whip: Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding mix. Gently fold the two mixtures together with a spatula until well incorporated. Then fold in one container of Cool Whip carefully to maintain a light and fluffy texture.
Start layering the pudding: Add a small amount of the pudding mixture to the bottom of your serving dish. Layer with Chessman butter cookies, Nilla wafers, sliced bananas, and sliced strawberries. If using a clear dish, arrange strawberries along the edges for a decorative effect.
Add glaze and continue layering: Drizzle strawberry glaze over the fruit layers, then add another layer of pudding mixture. Repeat layering cookies, bananas, strawberries, and strawberry glaze until the dish is filled or ingredients are used up.
Top the pudding: Finish with a final layer of pudding, then spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly on top. Decorate with leftover sliced strawberries, crushed Nilla wafers, and any remaining strawberry glaze for a beautiful presentation.
Chill before serving: Lightly cover the pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.
Serve and enjoy: Remove from fridge, slice into portions, and serve chilled for a refreshing and decadent strawberry banana pudding experience.

Notes

For best flavor and texture, use very cold milk when mixing puddings.
Allow the cream cheese to soften fully to avoid lumps in the mixture.
Folding in the Cool Whip gently keeps the pudding light and fluffy.
Strawberry glaze is optional but adds a beautiful glossy finish and extra flavor.
This dessert is best served after refrigerating overnight but can be enjoyed after 30 minutes chilling.
Leftover pudding can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry banana pudding, layered pudding dessert, no-cook pudding recipe, creamy pudding, fruit pudding, easy dessert, cream cheese pudding, Nilla wafers dessert