Strawberry Banana Pudding

• 3 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 box (about 10 oz) of vanilla wafer cookies (store-bought)
• Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)
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How to Make Strawberry Banana Pudding

Making Strawberry Banana Pudding is incredibly easy and takes just a few steps. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Make the Vanilla Pudding

1. Prepare the instant pudding: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, and heavy cream. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
2. Refrigerate: Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 5-10 minutes to allow the pudding to fully set and become nice and creamy.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients

1. Prepare the fruit: While the pudding is chilling, slice the bananas and strawberries. Set them aside.
2. Layer the ingredients: In a large serving dish (or individual cups for a fun presentation), start with a layer of vanilla wafer cookies at the bottom. Top with a generous layer of the prepared vanilla pudding. Then, add a layer of banana slices and strawberry slices on top of the pudding. Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients, ending with a layer of pudding.

Step 3: Chill and Set

• Chill the pudding: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the pudding to firm up. This also helps the cookies soften, creating that classic pudding texture.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

• Add a finishing touch: Once the pudding has chilled and set, you can top it with a dollop of whipped cream for extra richness. If you prefer, you can garnish it with more fresh strawberries and banana slices to enhance the presentation.
• Serve: Spoon the pudding into bowls or serve directly from the dish. Enjoy the sweet, creamy, and fruity layers that make this dessert so irresistible!

Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Banana Pudding

• Use ripe bananas: Ripe bananas will give the pudding the perfect sweetness and texture. Make sure they’re soft and sweet, but not overly ripe or mushy.
• Fresh strawberries: Fresh strawberries are key to this recipe. The natural sweetness and juiciness of the strawberries provide a lovely contrast to the creamy pudding and the crunchy vanilla wafers.
• Layer it up: The beauty of this dessert lies in its layers. Don’t be afraid to layer generously with bananas, strawberries, and pudding. The more layers, the better!
• Make it ahead: This dessert tastes even better after it has had time to chill and the flavors have had a chance to develop. Make it a few hours ahead of time or even the night before for the best results.
• Switch up the cookies: While vanilla wafers are traditional in banana pudding, feel free to experiment with other cookies like shortbread, graham crackers, or even chocolate cookies for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions

• Individual servings: To make serving easier, you can create individual portions of pudding in small cups or jars. These mini desserts are perfect for parties or gatherings.
• Pair with coffee or tea: Strawberry banana pudding is a rich, sweet dessert, so it pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea after a meal.

Final Thoughts

Strawberry Banana Pudding is the perfect combination of creamy, fruity, and crunchy goodness. With layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, fresh strawberries, and vanilla wafers, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just because you’re in the mood for something delicious, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.

So, grab some fresh bananas and strawberries, gather your ingredients, and indulge in the comforting flavors of this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dessert. You’ll be savoring every spoonful of this irresistible treat!