Description
This Banana Pudding Tiramisu is a delightful no-bake layered dessert combining the creamy richness of banana pudding with the coffee-soaked ladyfingers familiar in traditional tiramisu. Featuring whipped cream, cream cheese, instant vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and a crunchy vanilla wafer topping, it’s a luscious, refreshing treat perfect for gatherings or as a sweet finish to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ¾ cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Layering
- 4 ripe bananas (sliced)
- 1 box (7 oz) ladyfinger cookies (about 24)
- 1 cup brewed coffee (cooled)
Topping
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside carefully to maintain the volume.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Pudding Ingredients: To the cream cheese mixture, add the instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla extract. Beat the combined ingredients until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Fold Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until fully incorporated, ensuring a light and airy texture.
- Layer Ladyfingers: Quickly dip each ladyfinger cookie into the cooled brewed coffee, being careful not to soak them too long to prevent sogginess. Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add Pudding and Bananas: Spread half of the pudding mixture over the ladyfingers layer. Then, add a layer of sliced ripe bananas over the pudding.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the process with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, followed by the remaining pudding mixture and a final layer of banana slices.
- Chill: Cover the assembled dessert and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and set firmly.
- Add Topping and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafers over the top for added texture and a flavorful finish.
Notes
- Substitute coffee with milk or banana liqueur to alter flavor profiles according to preference.
- For an enhanced flavor, mix a pinch of cinnamon into the crushed vanilla wafer topping.
- This dessert benefits from an overnight chill to develop a firmer and more cohesive texture.
