This Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream is light, fruity, and very easy to make. Soft bananas and bright strawberries meet creamy vanilla pudding and airy whipped cream. Each spoonful is smooth, slightly sweet, and crunchy from graham cracker crumbs. It chills into a cool, refreshing dessert that feels like a summer hug.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (chill time)
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (1 of 4):
- Calories per serving: 290 kcal
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
Why Make This Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
This dessert comes together fast. It needs no baking. The flavor is fresh and bright from strawberries and bananas. Vanilla pudding and whipped cream add a silky, creamy mouthfeel. The graham cracker crumbs give a pleasant crunch. It is perfect for picnics, potlucks, weeknight desserts, or an easy, elegant finish to a family meal.
How to Make Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
You layer fruit, pudding, and whipped cream. Chill it so the flavors meld and the texture firms slightly. The final dessert is cold, smooth, and lightly crunchy. Use ripe bananas for sweetness and fully red strawberries for the best taste and color.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of sliced strawberries
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup of vanilla pudding
- 1 cup of whipped cream
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
In a large bowl, layer half of the sliced strawberries and bananas. Make sure the fruit is evenly sliced so each spoonful has both berries and banana.
Step 2: Mixing
Spoon half of the vanilla pudding over the fruit layer and top with whipped cream. Spread gently so you keep the fruit shape under the cream.
Step 3: Cooking
Repeat the layering process with the remaining fruits, pudding, and whipped cream. There is no heat cooking. The “cooking” step here is letting the layers settle and meld while chilling.
Step 4: Finishing
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top for added texture. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving so the pudding firms and flavors marry.
How to Serve Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
Serve chilled in clear glasses or a shallow trifle dish so the layers show. Use a dessert spoon. Add extra graham crumbs and a mint leaf on each serving. Pair with coffee or iced tea. For a party, serve in small cups for easy grab-and-go portions.
How to Store Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
Cover the dish with plastic wrap or store individual portions in airtight containers. Keep refrigerated for up to 48 hours. The bananas will brown and soften over time, so consume within 24–48 hours for best texture and color. Do not freeze; thawing damages the texture of the pudding and fruit.
Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
- Use ripe but firm bananas. Overripe bananas can turn mushy and dark quickly.
- Pat sliced strawberries dry so the pudding doesn’t become watery.
- If you worry about banana browning, toss banana slices in a teaspoon of lemon juice before layering.
- Chill at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor melding.
- For extra crunch, toast the graham crumbs lightly in a skillet for 1–2 minutes.
- If you like a tangy twist, fold a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt into the whipped cream.
Delicious Variations
- Banana-First Parfait: Use vanilla wafers instead of graham crumbs and layer in tall parfait glasses.
- Mixed Berry: Swap one cup of strawberries for mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries).
- Tropical Twist: Add diced mango and shredded coconut on top.
- Lighter Version: Use low-fat or sugar-free vanilla pudding and whipped topping.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based vanilla pudding and coconut whipped cream; replace graham crackers with gluten-free crumbs if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Make it up to 24–48 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. The flavor improves slightly after a few hours. Note banana slices will darken after a day. -
How do I stop the bananas from turning brown?
Toss banana slices lightly with lemon or orange juice (about 1 tsp per banana) before layering. Work quickly to limit air contact. -
Can I use homemade pudding?
Yes. Homemade vanilla pudding works well. Cool it completely before layering so it does not melt the whipped cream. -
Is there a gluten-free option?
Yes. Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or crushed gluten-free cookies for the topping. -
Can I add other fruits or nuts?
Yes. Chopped nuts like toasted almonds add crunch. Use fruits that hold shape, like blueberries or diced apples. Avoid watery fruits unless you drain them well. -
What if I want less sugar?
Choose sugar-free or low-sugar pudding, and use whipped cream lightly sweetened or a sugar-free whipped topping. -
Can I make individual servings?
Yes, layer the ingredients in small glasses or jars for individual portions. They look attractive and are easy to serve.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream is an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that blends creamy, fruity, and crunchy textures. It’s quick to assemble and delights both kids and adults. For a Southern-style take and more inspiration, check out My Favorite Southern Strawberry Banana Pudding | Orchids + Sweet … (https://www.orchidsandsweettea.com/my-favorite-southern-strawberry-banana-pudding/). Give this simple layered dessert a try—you’ll love the cool, fresh flavors and the soft, creamy texture.
Print
Strawberry Banana Pudding Dream
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and creamy dessert with layers of fresh strawberries, ripe bananas, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream, topped with crunchy graham cracker crumbs.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of sliced strawberries
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup of vanilla pudding
- 1 cup of whipped cream
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, layer half of the sliced strawberries and bananas evenly.
- Spoon half of the vanilla pudding over the fruit layer and top with whipped cream.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining fruits, pudding, and whipped cream.
- Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top, garnish with mint, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Use ripe bananas for sweetness. Pat strawberries dry to prevent a watery pudding. For extra crunch, toast graham crumbs lightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
