Banana Pudding Cake

Course Cakes, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword banana-pudding-layer-cake, old-fashioned-banana-pudding-cake, southern-banana-pudding-cake

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Chill time 6

Total Time 6 45

Servings pieces

Calories 863kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

1 recipe Old Fashioned Butter Cake ( baked in three 8 inch pans)
Filling:
1 2.6 oz box dry whipped topping mix [i.e.Dream Whip] (Box contains 2 packets, use both)
3 cup cold half and half divided
2 3.4 oz boxes vanilla instant pudding mix
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 12 oz whipped plain cream cheese
2 large bananas diced
1 16 oz container frozen whipped topping thawed
whole vanilla wafers plus 1/2 cup crushed for garnishing

Instructions

Cake: Prepare the Old Fashioned Butter Cake layers per the directions in the oven and let cake cool completely.
Dream Whip Pudding Filling: Using an electric mixer whip together both packets dry whipped topping mix with 1 1/4 cup cold half and half. Whip for 3 minutes or until firm peaks form.
To the bowl add both packages of instant vanilla pudding, 1 3/4 cups of cold half and half and 2 tsp vanilla extract.
Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Add cream cheese and whip for another 1-2 minutes until fully combined, fluffy and no lumps remain.
Assemble the Layers: Place one cake round on a cake platter. Spread half of the filling over the bottom layer of cake then top with cubed bananas. Gently press the bananas into the filling.
Repeat with another cake layer, pudding filling and cubed bananas. Top with the final cake layer.
Frost the top and sides of the cake with whipped topping and garnish with vanilla wafers. Chill for at least 6 hours, then slice and serve.
Store leftovers chilled.

Notes

Whipped Topping Mix - What is Dream Whip? It's a dry whipped topping mix that forms volume, flavor and a stabilizer for the cake filling. You can find it on the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
Instant Pudding Mix - You can use one vanilla pudding mix and one banana pudding mix for extra banana flavor.
Half and Half - You can replace the half and half with whole milk or heavy cream.
Frosting Options - Fresh whipped cream can be used in place of Cool Whip for the frosting. Please note, should you choose to do so, it's not as stable and will need to be frosted the day you plan on serving the cake. For this cake, Cool whip works best. You may also opt to frost the cake with a homemade Vanilla Buttercream or my recipe for 7 Minute Frosting.
Cake Layers - You can adapt this cake making a smaller version using a butter flavored cake mix for a two layer cake. Should you choose a shortcut using a cake mix, keep in mind that boxed cake mixes continue to dwindle in size. In that case, you'll only need to prepare half of the filling should you choose to go that route.
Chocolate and Caramel - Chocolate isn't a classic addition to banana pudding but you could add a drizzle of chocolate ganache or caramel between the layers, if desired.
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding - If you'd like to make your own pudding for the layers, checkout my recipe for Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe.
Allow Ample Chill Time - After filling the cake layers, it's important to allow ample time for the cake to chill until set for even slicing.

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