Banana Cream Icebox Cake is made with layers of banana pudding cream cheese, vanilla wafers & whipped topping! Lovely chilled banana dessert perfect for summer!
Make this delicious Icebox Cake using a few simple ingredients that come together easily. The key ingredients are vanilla wafer cookies, banana pudding, milk, cream cheese, whipped topping, and fresh banana slices for garnish. These items create a creamy, layered dessert that softens beautifully in the fridge.
Highlights of this Banana Pudding recipe
- This Banana Cream Cake is delightfully easy to prepare since you don’t need to bake it, which saves you time and effort!
- The combination of instant banana pudding and cream cheese gives a smooth, creamy filling.
- For serving, you can garnish with fresh banana slices and extra vanilla wafers. These little touches add visual appeal and a bit more crunch.
Ingredients for Banana Cream Cake
Cookies: You need about 48 vanilla wafer cookies for this recipe.
Pudding: Use two 3.4-ounce boxes of instant banana pudding mix.
Milk: Combine the pudding mix with milk for a smooth, creamy consistency.
Cream cheese: Adding an 8-oz block of cream cheese, softened, gives the cake a rich, thick filling.
Whipped topping: For a light, fluffy addition to this cake, use whipped topping, thawed.
Toppings: Add some sliced bananas and vanilla wafers for garnish, if desired.
Tips for making Icebox Banana Cream Cake
Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips for making the process easier!
- Start by softening your cream cheese well. This helps you whip it easier and get a smooth, creamy texture in the pudding mixture. See below for more tips on best ways to soften cream cheese.
- Use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese and pudding thoroughly. This step blends the flavors well and creates a smooth texture.
- Let your cake chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. This resting time lets the cookies soften and soak up the pudding flavor, making every bite creamy and tender.
How long is this banana cake good for & how do you store it?
You can store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it tightly covered to prevent it from drying out.
Longer storage is possible, although it’s not recommended because the texture will change, and the cookies may become soggy or too soft after thawing. If you decide to freeze it, do so in an airtight container and defrost slowly in the refrigerator overnight. It can be frozen up to 3 months.
Banana Cream Icebox Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 48 vanilla wafer cookies
- 6.8 oz instant banana pudding mix two 3.4 ounce boxes
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz whipped topping thawed
- Banana slices and vanilla wafers for garnish
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 dish with half the vanilla wafer cookies.
- In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the pudding and milk until smooth. Transfer to the bowl with the cream cheese and use an electric mixer to combine. Spoon half of the banana mixture over the cookie layer.
- Layer the remaining cookies on top of the banana layer, then pour the rest of the banana pudding mixture on top. Finish with a layer of whipped topping.
- Cover and place into the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight so the cookies can soften. Garnish with banana slices and vanilla wafers before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Can I use a different type of cookie instead of vanilla wafers?
Yes. You can use other light, crisp cookies like shortbread or animal crackers. Avoid very hard or thick cookies, which won’t soften well. Choose cookies that complement banana flavor and soften at a similar rate to vanilla wafers.
Can I use a different flavor of pudding in this recipe?
You can substitute vanilla or butterscotch pudding for banana pudding if you want a different taste. Keep the same amount of pudding mix and milk. Fruit-flavored pudding can alter the sweetness and consistency slightly but generally works.
How do you Soften Cream cheese?
Here in the US, cream cheese comes in an 8-oz brick wrapped in foil packaging. Most recipes call for softened cream cheese, which can be done in a few different ways:
- Microwave it! Just 20 seconds or so in the microwave will sufficiently soften cream cheese. Be sure to remove the foil packaging first and to place the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl.
- Hot towel wrap! This is what I tend to do most often. All you do is get a clean kitchen rag, get it soaking wet with hot water, then ring it out quickly and wrap the hot towel around the foil package of cream cheese. It takes just a few minutes and it’s softened!
- Let it sit out! If you can plan ahead, the absolute easiest way to soften cream cheese is just to let it sit on the counter for an hour or two. Easy!
How do you ensure the pudding mix sets properly?
Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk thoroughly for at least 2 minutes to avoid lumps. If you have time, let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken before mixing with cream cheese.
Love chilled desserts that are easy to make? Try more here:
- For more amazing fruit flavors, this No-Bake Peaches and Cream Pie delivers on taste & texture! A simple cheesecake filling in a graham cracker crust, topped with fresh peaches.
- Give this Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Dessert a try this summer, it’s easy to make and OH SO delicious!
- For a more decadent treat, try our No Bake Nutella Cream Pie. Made in minutes with Nutella, cream cheese, sugar & whipped topping!
- Made with only 4 ingredients, our Lemon Icebox Pie is an easy frozen dessert. This dessert has quickly become a family favorite and gets devoured fast!
- This recipe for Orange Creamsicle Pie requires no baking and is a great option for those who don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s a refreshing dessert that everyone is sure to enjoy!
- Enjoy your favorite soda flavor in this Dr. Pepper Cream Pie. Basic ingredients come together to create a sweet, refreshing treat that is perfect on a hot summer day!
Banana Cream Icebox Cake made with vanilla wafer cookies, banana pudding, milk, cream cheese, and whipped topping. This layered dessert comes together easily and makes a great dessert for any occasion.
Linda says
I’m sorry I can only give this recipe 5 stars! It was a HUGE hit. We had guests for dinner and I made this for dessert. Shared the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Jessica says
So glad you liked it Linda!!