This Banana Pudding Icebox Cake is the perfect no-bake dessert for summer. It’s a thicker, more fancy-looking version of banana pudding and it’s absolutely delicious!
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
So I’m going to get serious for a minute. Yesterday’s church service was just too good for me to not share it with you. To finish up a series, we had Benjamin Watson of the New Orleans Saints join us. You may or may not be familiar with Benjamin Watson’s Facebook post that went viral last fall after the verdict in the Ferguson case was released. It’s one of the most well put things I’ve ever read – accurately capturing the range of emotions that I’m sure many have felt.
There have been so many cases in the news – Ferguson, Baltimore (and more) and now the awful shooting in Charleston. It overwhelms me how much hate and pain fills the news every time something happens and it makes me sad. Benjamin Watson said it better than I ever could have. He talked of sin and the Gospel and bringing communities together – not tearing them apart. Yesterday’s message was moving, insightful and sparked a great discussion between the hubs and I. I absolutely recommend watching it. I hope it inspires you like it did us. Before I move on to the recipe, I’ll leave you with this bit of scripture that was sort of the point of the message:
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26–28
So I’m not entirely sure how to move on from that to a recipe, so I’ll just do it. 🙂
This icebox cake is layers of a banana and vanilla flavored filling that’s somewhat mousse-like and very light, with a layer of vanilla wafer cookies and bananas in the middle. It’s so easy to make – the hardest part is letting it sit in the fridge to firm up.
How to Make Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
To put the layers together, you’ll make the banana and vanilla filling separately, though they have similar ingredients. The vanilla filling is made by mixing cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Some milk and vanilla extract are added, then homemade whipped cream is folded in. You could substitute Cool Whip if you prefer to simplify the recipe even further. I won’t tell.
The banana layer is made exactly the same way, except that dry banana pudding mix is added before the whipped cream is folded in. You don’t actually make the pudding, just add the dry mix. It will make the mixture kind of sticky, but that’s ok. As you fold in the whipped cream, it will loosen up and become a nice consistency. It might take a minute, so be patient. It will all come together.
The fillings are layered with the vanilla wafers and banana slices. I dipped the wafers in some milk first to help them soften. Nobody wants a cookie they can’t cut through.
Once everything is layered, just let it set up in the fridge until firm. It’s made in a springform pan, so that you can remove the sides and have a pretty looking dessert, but you could also make it in a 9×9 square pan, if you prefer. Either way, it’s easy peasy and delicious! The hubs’ literally refused to let me share it. 🙂
More Banana Desserts
- Easy Banana Bread
- Banana Cream Pudding in a Jar
- Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Bananas Foster Layer Cake
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake
- Banoffee Cupcakes
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
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Ingredients
Vanilla Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 cup milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Banana Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk
- 1 package (3.4 oz) banana cream instant pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Additional Ingredients
- Vanilla wafer cookies
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3-4 bananas
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Vanilla Filling:
- Beat cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a mixer until smooth.
- Add milk and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Set aside.
- In a clean mixer bowl, make the whipped cream by whipping the heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken.
- Add powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Set aside.
Prepare the Banana Filling:
- Beat cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a mixer until smooth.
- Add milk and beat until smooth.
- Add dry banana cream pudding mix and mix until smooth. Mixture will be sticky. Set aside.
- In a clean mixer bowl, make the whipped cream by whipping the heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken.
- Add powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into banana mixture. It might seem like it won't come together at first, since the cream cheese mixture is sticky, but carefully fold the two together and they will smooth out.
Assemble the Icebox Cake:
- To layer the dessert, I'd recommend first lining the sides of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper, to make removal from the pan easier. The parchment paper will keep the sides of the dessert from sticking to the pan. Then spread half of the banana filling evenly in the bottom of the pan.
- Top the banana filling with half of the vanilla filling.
- Dip vanilla wafer cookies into the milk, one at a time, and add them in a single even layer on top of the vanilla filling.
- Spread a very thin layer of banana filling on top of the cookies. You should still be able to see the cookies. This layer is primarily to filling the gaps left around the cookies.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas.
- Top banana slices with remaining banana filling and spread into an even layer.
- Add remaining vanilla filling and spread into an even layer.
- Place pan in the freezer until firm, 4-5 hours.
Finish the Icebox Cake:
- Once firm, remove icebox cake from springform pan and place on serving plate.
- Add additional heavy whipping cream to a mixer bowl and whip until it begins to thicken.
- Add powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe whipped cream around the edges of the icebox cake and top with additional wafer cookies and banana slices.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
This looks delicious. I’ve never used a springform pan before. So, I’m wondering do I need to spray with PAM or coat with butter? I want to try this today. Thanks!
I added a little bit to the instructions to help with this. I line the sides of my pan with parchment paper to help with it not sticking (picture). Then once I remove the dessert from the springform pan, I can peel the parchment paper off of the sides. I hope that helps!
Hi Lindsay…could this be put in the freezer to speed up the setting process? I have eager boys 🙂
Definitely. I actually had it in the freezer at first, we just preferred it in the fridge and a little softer, but you could always let it soften a bit before serving.
How much cool whip can be substituted for the whipping cream … would it be 3 cups?
Since you buy Cool Whip in ounces, that might be more helpful. I’d replace 1 cup of whipping cream (and the powdered sugar that goes in it) with 8 oz of Cool Whip. So you’ll want three 8 oz containers.
Are the pudding mixes the ‘instant mix’ or the type that are ‘made to be cooked’?
Pudding mixes come in two types.
Thank you, Nancy
Instant pudding. Sorry for the confusion.
I am assuming the pudding mix is not instant. Is that correct? I can’t wait to fix this…it is beautiful! Thank you so much.
It is actually instant.
How can I get these’e recipe for myself to try. I like them all.
Every recipe is printable. There’s a button just to the right of the recipe name. Pinterest is also great for linking to the things you want to come back to later. Is that what you are asking?
Can this recipe be frozen? We are planning a trip to a friend’s cottage so I need something I can make ahead of time and then bring with us. I’m hoping to freeze it in the springform pan ao that I can thaw it while we are there.
Yes, it can be frozen. Just store it in the refrigerator when you’re ready to thaw it. 🙂
Hi! Making this for hubs birthday… On Step 11, did you mean banana mixture? Just want to be sure! Banana pudding dessert is his fave, so hoping this will be his new fave ever. Thanks for posting!
Hi!! On Step 11, did you mean to fold it into the banana mixture?? Making for hubs birthday and just want to be sure. He Loves old-school banana pudding dessert, so I am hoping this is his new fave! Thanks for posting!
Yes, the banana mixture. I’ve updated the instructions so that’s clear. Thanks Carla! I hope he enjoyed it!
This is such a great post! Definitely not what I thought it was going to be when I clicked on it, but I’m glad I read it. I actually visited the church in Charleston on Sunday. What happened was terrible, but it was moving to witness such a strong community supporting the families involved. This icebox cake is wonderful and I’m sure a slice of it would cheer up anyone who needed it 🙂
Oh wow, how amazing that you were able to go by there. It’s incredible how they’ve handled such an awful situation. Thanks Beth!
Well said Ashley! And my oh my, that cake is incredible to say the least. I stashed a box of nila wafers in my suitcase from our recent trip to the US, I just might have to whip them out for this!!!
Lovely. I had never read that scripture before. I’ll dig out my bible and look it up tonight. Thank you for passing it along.
What a gorgeous icebox cake! I’ve never tried making an icebox cake but they sound cool…might have to try one this summer!
This sounds amazing. You must teach me how you get those layers of fillings so perfectly straight and clean!
My 9 inch offset spatula is my best friend when spreading out layers. 🙂
Oooooh, pretty. Probably the prettiest icebox cake ever.
It’s a really tough time right now in this country. So much good and bad happening at the same time. I wonder what people will think looking back 50 years from now.
Yes, it’ll be interesting to see how a lot of things will be told down the road.
Dear Lindsay, Vanilla wafer cookies bring back so many memories from when my kids were little. I love the sound of this icebox cake. It looks fun and indulgent. I wish I had a slice! xo, Catherine