How to Make Banana Pudding Cake: A Delicious Southern Classic

Banana pudding holds a special place in many hearts, conjuring up memories of family gatherings and potluck dinners. But have you ever experienced the delightful twist of a banana pudding cake? This dessert combines the creamy, comforting flavors of banana pudding with the satisfying texture of a moist cake. In this post, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of making this Southern classic, ensuring a delightful experience and a dessert that will wow your family and friends.

What Makes This Recipe Special

This isn’t just any cake recipe; it’s a celebration of textures and flavors! Imagine a fluffy vanilla cake layered with slices of fresh banana, all enveloped in a luscious, homemade vanilla pudding and topped with crispy vanilla wafers. Every bite is a delightful explosion of sweet, creamy, and crunchy goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Pudding:

• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

For Assembling:

• 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 (11 ounce) box vanilla wafers

Equipment You’ll Need

• Two 9-inch round baking pans
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• 9×13 inch baking dish

Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Cake:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually Add Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, and beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
6. Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Pudding:

1. Whisk Pudding Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes.
2. Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the pudding mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.

Assembling the Banana Pudding Cake:

1. Layer the Cake: Slice the cooled cakes in half horizontally. Place one layer of cake in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Create Layers: Top the cake layer with a layer of sliced bananas, followed by a generous layer of pudding. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of pudding.
3. Top with Wafers: Arrange vanilla wafers over the top of the pudding in a single layer.
4. Chill: Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften slightly.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Banana Pudding Cake

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients, especially butter and eggs, will help ensure a smooth, well-combined batter.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the cake batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Ripe Bananas: Use ripe, but not overly ripe, bananas for the best flavor and texture.
• Chilling Time: While it’s tempting to dig in right away, chilling the cake for several hours allows the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften, creating the perfect banana pudding cake experience.

FAQs About Banana Pudding Cake

Can I use a different type of pudding mix?

Absolutely! While vanilla pudding is the classic choice, you can experiment with other flavors like banana, coconut cream, or even butterscotch for a unique twist.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake is perfect for making ahead of time. In fact, the flavors intensify as it chills, making it even more delicious the next day.

What can I use instead of vanilla wafers?

If you don’t have vanilla wafers on hand, you can substitute them with other cookies like Nilla Wafers, shortbread cookies or even graham cracker crumbs. For a homemade approach and an extra touch of vanilla flavor, consider trying our recipe for Nilla Wafers!

A Taste of Southern Comfort

This banana pudding cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a taste of Southern comfort and a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. With its simple steps and readily available ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create this show-stopping dessert. So gather your loved ones, whip up a batch of this deliciousness, and get ready to savor the sweet reward of homemade banana pudding cake!