Description
A deliciously creamy and refreshing Banana Pudding Icebox Cake made with layers of vanilla pudding, Nilla wafers, ripe bananas, and Cool Whip. This no-bake dessert is perfect for warm days or anytime you want an easy, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 (3.4-oz.) box instant vanilla pudding
- Ingredients called for on pudding box (usually 2 cups cold milk)
Other Ingredients
- 1 (11-oz.) box Nilla wafers
- 1/2 cup cold milk (for dipping wafers)
- 6 large ripe bananas, thinly sliced into rounds
- 8 oz. Cool Whip, plus more for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare Pudding: Make the vanilla pudding according to the package instructions, typically combining the pudding mix with cold milk and whisking until thickened. Set aside.
- Layer the Cake: In an 8-inch springform pan, dip each Nilla wafer briefly into cold milk and arrange about 19 wafers in a single layer on the bottom. Spread one-third of the prepared pudding evenly over the wafers. Add a layer of banana slices on top of the pudding, followed by one-third of the Cool Whip. Repeat these layering steps two more times, creating three layers total of wafers, pudding, bananas, and Cool Whip.
- Smooth and Chill: Use a spatula to smooth the top of the assembled cake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place the pan in the freezer until the cake is firm, approximately 4 hours.
- Decorate and Serve: Carefully unmold the cake from the springform pan. Use additional Cool Whip to create dollops around the edges of the cake. Alternate standing Nilla wafers and banana slices in the dollops for a decorative finish. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Dipping the wafers quickly in milk prevents them from becoming too soggy in the final dessert.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the freezer until ready to serve.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute pudding and whipped topping with suitable non-dairy alternatives.
- Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana pudding, icebox cake, no bake dessert, vanilla pudding, Nilla wafers, layered dessert
