Another cool dessert for summertime.
I’m having a lot of fun coming up with new desserts for summertime. That means chilled, not baked, because who wants to run a hot oven in June? And anyway, a cool dessert is a lot more refreshing on a warm summer evening.
After my success with this No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Dessert, I started thinking about what else I could do on the same lines. I didn’t want another cheesecake, so I thought about what else is chilled, and the answer was easy: pudding! And what’s the best thing you can make with pudding? What else but banana cream pie?
These Easy Banana Cream Pie Bars are an easier twist on the classic banana cream pie. Instead of messing around with fresh bananas and lots of other ingredients, just use instant banana pudding, blended together with milk, softened cream cheese, and whipped topping. That gives you creamy texture and banana-y flavor all in one.
Spread that over a simple crust of crushed vanilla wafers, top it with whipped cream and more wafer crumbs, and then just let it chill out in the fridge for a few hours while you go chill out with a good book. When you’re ready for dessert, slice it up into bars and top each one with a dollop of whipped cream and a wafer, and you have a dressy dessert that looks like it took you all day. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.
Easy Banana Cream Pie Bars
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 package crushed vanilla wafers
1/2 stick butter – melted
2 packages instant banana pudding mix (can also make your own, but this is a quick recipe)
2 cups milk
½ block cream cheese
½ cup whipped cream
1 ½ cup whipped cream (for top layer)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix together crushed wafers and melted butter, then press into lined 8×8 inch baking dish to form a crust. Set aside.
2. Beat together pudding mix and milk until liquid, and let sit 5 minutes to thicken.
3. Beat in softened cream cheese and whipped cream, until evenly blended. 
4. Pour over your crust and smooth to level.
5. Top with a layer of whipped cream, lightly sprinkle on some crushed wafers, and then refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until firm.
6. Cut into squares, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each one, and stick a whole vanilla wafer in the middle before serving.
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Corey, Darryl, Big D & Little D
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Easy Banana Cream Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 package crushed vanilla wafers
- 1/2 stick butter - melted
- 2 packages instant banana pudding mix can also make your own, but this is a quick recipe
- 2 cups milk
- ½ block cream cheese
- ½ cup whipped cream
- 1 ½ cup whipped cream for top layer
Instructions
- Mix together crushed wafers and melted butter, then press into lined 8x8 inch baking dish to form a crust. Set aside.
- Beat together pudding mix and milk until liquid, and let sit 5 minutes to thicken.
- Beat in softened cream cheese and whipped cream, until evenly blended. Pour over your crust and smooth to level.
- Top with a layer of whipped cream, lightly sprinkle on some crushed wafers, and then refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until firm.
- Cut into squares, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each one, and stick a whole vanilla wafer in the middle before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Carissa Nelson | Spoonful of Easy says
Love the tip on the banana pudding mix! For a while I was trying to keep ripe bananas in the freezer to “save for later” and I literally never used them once. This looks delicious!
Sunshine says
Hello Cory
Sunshine says
Hello Corey,
How does the whipped cream hold up in the summer heat? Would using Cool Whip work or would it change the taste?
Jamie says
Hi, what size instant banana pudding do you use for the recipe. I know it says two boxes but what size please.
Corey says
3.4 oz boxes Jamie 🙂
Catherine says
This was sooo good! I accidentally switched the amounts for the whipped topping and added 1.5 cups to the filling and used a full cup for the top once I saw what I’d done. It was delicious so I may keep doing it that way! The only thing is that it changed it from a bar you can pick up to one that you really have to eat with a fork but that’s OK. I’m excited to make this again!
Jody says
I’m looking forward to making this but m wondering if this is REAL whipped cream or is it something like Cool Whip? I just want to be sure before making it
Thanks!!
Corey says
I have actually used both, but prefer Cool Whip.
Diane says
Everyone loved the Banana Cream pie bars. My only problem was lifting the bars out of the 9×13 glass baking dish even with the parchment paper. Other than that it was absolutely delicious.
Corey says
I am so happy you loved the bars Diane
Rose says
Will these survive an hour and a half car ride?
Corey says
In a very chilled cooler they should be fine.