Old School Banana Pudding Cake is a nostalgic dessert that combines the best elements of banana pudding and cake into one delicious treat. It features layers of fluffy yellow cake, creamy banana pudding, and light whipped cream, topped with fresh banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers for added texture. This comforting dessert is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress guests with a crowd-pleasing classic.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Cake:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Pudding:

  • 2 cups cold milk

  • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding mix

  • 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping

  • 2-3 ripe bananas (sliced)

• For the Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Additional banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the Cake: In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.

3. Make the Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk the cold milk and banana pudding mix for 2 minutes until thickened. Fold in the whipped cream.

4. Assemble the Cake: Once the cake is cooled, poke holes all over it with a fork. Spread the banana pudding mixture evenly over the cake, then top with sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers.

5. Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping: In a bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread this whipped cream over the pudding layer.

6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with additional banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers just before serving.

Nutritional Information (approx. per serving)

• Calories: 350-400 kcal

• Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Carbohydrates: 40g

  • Sugars: 25g

• Protein: 4g

• Cholesterol: 55mg

• Sodium: 300mg

• Fiber: 2g

The Base: A Fluffy Yellow Cake

The foundation of this Old School Banana Pudding Cake is a simple, moist yellow cake made from a box cake mix. While some may prefer making the cake from scratch, using a cake mix ensures ease and consistency, making it a great choice for busy bakers. The ingredients—water, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract—combine to form a light, fluffy cake that provides the perfect base for the banana pudding and whipped cream layers.

Once baked, the cake should cool completely before assembling the layers. The cool cake allows the pudding mixture to set properly without melting into the cake, ensuring that each bite maintains a perfect balance of texture. The cake’s subtle sweetness pairs wonderfully with the rich, creamy banana pudding, making it a satisfying foundation for the dish.

The Creamy Banana Pudding Layer

The pudding layer is where the magic happens in this dessert. Made from instant banana pudding mix and cold milk, this layer adds a smooth, rich texture that complements the cake beneath it. The banana pudding mixture is thickened to the perfect consistency, creating a custard-like texture that’s creamy without being too heavy.

To take it a step further, the pudding is folded with whipped cream, giving it a lighter, fluffier texture that makes the dessert feel indulgent but not overly rich. This banana pudding layer adds depth of flavor and perfectly complements the cake, turning this dessert into a delicious, layered treat.

The banana pudding mixture is spread evenly over the cake, ensuring every bite is filled with that luscious, creamy banana flavor. For added freshness and sweetness, fresh banana slices are laid over the pudding layer, making each slice a perfect combination of cake, pudding, and fruit.

The Whipped Cream Topping

No banana pudding cake would be complete without the addition of a fluffy whipped cream topping. The whipped cream not only adds a light and airy texture but also provides a balance of sweetness to complement the richness of the pudding and cake. Made by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract, this topping is the perfect finishing touch to your dessert.

The whipped cream should be beaten until stiff peaks form, which ensures that it holds its shape when spread over the pudding layer. This fluffy topping provides a delicate contrast to the dense layers of cake and pudding beneath, adding to the dessert’s overall lightness and indulgence.

Garnishing with Banana Slices and Vanilla Wafers

To finish off the Old School Banana Pudding Cake, a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers and a few additional banana slices are added on top. The vanilla wafers contribute a delightful crunch, providing a textural contrast to the soft cake and pudding. The bananas add freshness and a subtle sweetness that ties the whole dish together.

The combination of textures in this dessert—smooth pudding, light cake, fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy wafers—creates an experience that is both satisfying and enjoyable. The added banana slices make for a beautiful presentation while intensifying the banana flavor throughout the dish.

Chilling the Cake

After assembling the layers, it’s important to refrigerate the cake for at least two hours before serving. This allows the pudding layer to set fully and gives the whipped cream time to firm up. Chilling the cake also allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more cohesive dessert. It’s the ideal make-ahead treat for those who want to prepare their dessert in advance for a special event or family dinner.

The chilling process also enhances the texture of the cake, making it easier to cut and serve. When removed from the fridge, the layers stay intact, allowing you to enjoy clean, beautiful slices that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.

Nutritional Information

Old School Banana Pudding Cake is a rich and indulgent dessert, but it’s important to enjoy it in moderation. The cake provides approximately 350-400 calories per serving, with a balance of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. The heavy whipping cream contributes to the higher fat content, making the dessert rich and satisfying. With about 20 grams of fat per serving, including 12 grams of saturated fat, this dessert is certainly a treat for special occasions.

In terms of sugar, the cake provides around 25 grams per serving, contributing to its sweet and decadent flavor. The banana slices and whipped cream also add to the overall sweetness, enhancing the dessert’s appeal. With a small amount of fiber and protein, Old School Banana Pudding Cake offers a satisfying dessert experience without being excessively high in nutrients.

Conclusion

Old School Banana Pudding Cake is a nostalgic and comforting dessert that brings together the best elements of banana pudding and cake. With its fluffy yellow cake, creamy banana pudding layer, and light whipped cream topping, this dessert delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The addition of banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers creates the ideal finishing touch, making this a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress guests.

Its ease of preparation, versatility, and rich flavor profile make it an excellent choice for any time of year. Whether you’re looking to revisit an old favorite or introduce this delicious treat to new generations, Old School Banana Pudding Cake is sure to become a cherished classic in your dessert repertoire.