Banana Pudding Layer Cake
A Delicious Cake For Those Who Can’t Bake
Banana Pudding Layer Cake is the perfect dessert recipe for people like me who cannot bake. This layer cake looks good and tastes even better.
Simple shortcuts like using a box cake mix and instant pudding makes it very easy too. This cake looks like it is complicated, but you will see in the recipe card below, it is not.
Your family will ask you to make this time and time again after making it once.
Choose Your Pan Wisely
I like to use a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish for this recipe so that you can see all the layers. I suppose you can use any pan or baking dish that you prefer.
You can also use a trifle dish and instead of layering the ingredients on top of the cake, you can cube up the baked cake and make layers this way as well.
I think both ways would be pretty.
Strive For Deliciousness, Not Perfection
One of the reasons I hate baking is because I do not like to, and cannot, measure. I included measurements the best I can for this recipe.
It is likely that you may have some of the pudding mixture left over. I suggest in the recipe card serving this on the side as a delicious dessert dip.
I am very into dessert dips. In fact, one of my other favorite dessert recipes is for my Kit Kat Crunch Dip, which I think you will also find amazing.
Crazy Simple Ingredients
It is hard for me to even find enough to write about in this post because the recipe is so simple. I wanted to include this picture of the pudding mix because I have learned that many of you are visual learners and like to see pictures of the ingredients to help you shop for them.
I also included a picture of the cake mix I like to use, but any yellow cake mix will be just fine.
I note on the recipe card that I did not include the ingredients for making the actual cake mix. Take note of the ingredients required to bake the cake!
I do like to fancy up my boxed cakes and use an extra egg and melted butter instead of oil in my cakes, but you do you! Following the package instructions will also be just fine.
The Nilla Wafers
Nilla Wafers are one of my favorite cookies. Truth be told, I prefer the generic brand that I get at the Family Dollar or at Aldi but you can use any brand you want.
I also like to use ginger snaps in this recipe sometimes since it adds some nice zing. Honestly you can probably add any crushed cookie to this and it will be good.
Banana Pudding Layer Cake
This is one of the easiest desserts you'll ever make. The delicious layers of banana pudding and cookies are a delight for all of the senses.
Ingredients
- 1 box of butter yellow cake mix (15.25 ounce) *along with ingredients on cake mix to make the cake
- 2 containers of Cool Whip (8 ounces each)
- 3 ounce package of instant banana pudding mix
- 2 cups of cold milk
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 3 bananas
- 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar
- Approximately 30 Nilla Wafer cookies (crushed)
Instructions
- Make your vanilla cake mix according to the package directions. I did not include ingredients for the boxed cake mix, so TAKE NOTE of the ones listed on the box. Typically it is eggs, water, and oil. I usually add an extra egg and swap the oil for melted butter (equal amount) for a richer flavor. Add HALF the mixed cake batter to the baking pan. Bake in a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish. Let cool. I use the rest of the cake mix and make a few extra cupcakes.
- Mix the pudding with the two cups of cold milk and the vanilla extract and combine until it is pudding. Be sure to use the instant pudding. Stir in half of one of the containers of Cool Whip into the pudding.
- Slice the bananas into thinner slices and toss carefully with the brown sugar.
- When the cake is cooled, spread a thin layer of the Cool Whip and pudding mix on the cake like icing. Add the sliced bananas, then add a sprinkle of the crushed Nilla Wafer. Repeat these steps, until you reach the top of the cake, but leave room for a Cool Whip layer, as pictured in the post.
- Top the cake with a thick layer of Cool Whip and sprinkle the whole thing with the remaining Nilla Wafers.
- Chill for a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge, then cut and serve.
* you may have some cool whip and pudding mix left, I serve this on the side as a dip with the remaining Nilla Wafers to dip.