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Creamy No-Bake Banana Pudding Icebox Cake (Best Easy Dessert)

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This Creamy No-Bake Banana Pudding Icebox Cake is exactly what happens when laziness meets a really good idea. It’s got all the classic flavors—ripe bananas, silky vanilla pudding, and those soft, almost-cookie-like vanilla wafers—but it stacks them into a layered dessert that sets up in the fridge instead of the oven.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 cups cold whole milk
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package (12 oz) vanilla wafers
  • 4–5 ripe but firm bananas
  • 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Optional toppings: crushed vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Make the pudding mixture (5 minutes): In your large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold whole milk. Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken. Let it sit for 5 minutes to fully thicken. (If using optional sour cream, whisk it in now.)
  2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla (2 minutes): Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is smooth and fully combined.
  3. Fold in the whipped topping (2 minutes): Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture using your spatula. Don’t stir too aggressively.
  4. Slice the bananas (3 minutes): Peel the bananas and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
  5. Start layering (5 minutes): Spread a thin layer of the pudding mixture on the bottom of your 9×13 dish. Arrange a single layer of vanilla wafers on top, covering the bottom completely.
  6. Add banana layer (3 minutes): Arrange half of your banana slices evenly over the wafers.
  7. Spread half the remaining pudding (3 minutes): Spoon half of the remaining pudding mixture over the bananas and spread it evenly with your spatula.
  8. Repeat the layers (5 minutes): Add another layer of vanilla wafers, followed by the remaining banana slices, and then the rest of the pudding mixture. Spread it smoothly to the edges.
  9. Crush some wafers for the top (2 minutes): Take about 10-12 vanilla wafers and crush them. Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the top layer.
  10. Cover and chill (minimum 4 hours, overnight is best): Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is ideal.

Notes

Use cold milk straight from the fridge for best results. Don’t overmix the pudding. Let the bananas ripen just right (yellow with a few brown spots). Layer strategically starting with a thin layer of pudding on the bottom. Plan ahead for the best texture—overnight chilling is ideal. Use a serrated knife for clean slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake banana pudding, icebox cake, banana dessert, no-bake dessert, easy dessert, vanilla pudding, banana pudding cake

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/creamy-no-bake-banana-pudding-icebox-cake-best-easy-dessert/