Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding 🍓🍌

Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding is a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.

This dessert combines the rich, creamy taste of banana pudding with the sweet and tart flavors of strawberries, topped off with a crunchy, buttery topping.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a summer barbecue or simply indulge in a sweet treat at home, this pudding is sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need.

Pudding:

• 3 oz box banana cream instant pudding mix
• 2 cups whole milk
• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 14 oz can condensed milk
• 3-4 bananas, sliced
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 box Nilla wafers (mini wafers are recommended)

Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (divided)
• 1/2 cup room temperature butter (divided)
• 3 oz box vanilla instant pudding mix
• 3 oz box strawberry jello mix

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Mixture

1. Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the room temperature cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth and well combined. Set this bowl aside.
2. Banana Pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk together the banana cream pudding mix and the whole milk. Stir until the pudding mix is completely dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken. Set this bowl aside as well.
3. Whip the Cream: In another bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. This means that when you lift the beaters, the peaks should slightly hold their shape but will still fold over gently.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful to fold rather than stir vigorously to keep the mixture light and airy. Next, fold in the banana pudding mixture until everything is well combined and smooth.

Step 2: Assemble the Pudding

1. Layering: In a 9×9 inch pan, start by layering the bottom with Nilla wafers. Then, add a layer of sliced bananas and sliced strawberries over the wafers.
2. Pour Pudding: Pour the prepared pudding mixture over the layers of wafers and fruit. Gently bang the pan on a hard surface a few times to ensure the pudding settles and reaches the bottom of the pan, filling all the gaps.
3. Refrigerate: Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This will allow the pudding to set and the flavors to meld together.

Step 3: Prepare the Crunch Topping

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Vanilla Crumble: In a bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/4 cup room temperature butter. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly. The butter should be well incorporated, forming small pea-sized crumbles.
3. Strawberry Crumble: In another bowl, do the same with the strawberry jello mix, remaining 1/4 cup flour, and remaining 1/4 cup room temperature butter. Again, mix until crumbly.
4. Bake: Spread both the vanilla and strawberry crumble mixtures onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down gently to flatten the crumbles slightly. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-11 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as oven temperatures can vary. The crumbles should be lightly golden and set.
5. Cool and Combine: Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, use your hands to break the crumbles into smaller pieces and combine the two.

Step 4: Add the Crunch Topping

1. Top the Pudding: Once the pudding has set in the refrigerator, sprinkle the combined vanilla and strawberry crumbles evenly over the top.
2. Serve and Enjoy: Your Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding is now ready to be served. Scoop into bowls and enjoy the creamy, fruity, and crunchy deliciousness.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing.
• Whipping Cream: Soft peaks in whipped cream are essential for the right texture in the pudding. Don’t overbeat it.
• Layering: Ensure even layers of wafers, bananas, and strawberries to get the best combination of flavors in every bite.
• Cooling the Crumble: Letting the crumble cool completely before topping the pudding ensures it stays crunchy and doesn’t melt into the pudding.

Conclusion

Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding is a delectable dessert that brings together the creamy texture of banana pudding, the sweetness of strawberries, and the satisfying crunch of a buttery topping.

It’s a simple yet impressive treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

Give it a try and enjoy a little taste of heaven in every bite!