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This no bake layered Banana Pudding Lush is always a crowd pleaser with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake layer, banana pudding, and whipped cream topping.
For more desserts that use instant banana pudding mix be sure and try my Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding, Banana Pudding Poke Cake, and my Easy Banana Pudding Cookies.
Banana Pudding Lush Recipe (Banana Cream Pie Lush)
This layered banana lush has four different layers that are all no bake and so simple to make, lots of the same ingredients are used for each layer!
It starts with a buttery graham cracker crust, a no bake creamy cheesecake layer, banana pudding layer, whipped cream, and it’s garnished with Nilla wafers and fresh banana slices for serving.
This banana pudding lush is a delightful combination of a Banana Cream Pie and No Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake.
Ingredients Needed
Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients
- Graham Crackers : Use the original honey graham crackers for this recipe.
- Light Brown Sugar
- Melted Butter : I prefer using salted butter but unsalted butter can also be used if that’s what you prefer baking with.
Vanilla Cheesecake Layer Ingredients
- Cream Cheese : Use full-fat cream cheese for the best taste and thick & creamy texture. I also recommend using the name brand cream cheese (Philadelphia brand) as it tastes much better!
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Cool Whip : An 8 ounce container is what you will need for this layer.
Banana Pudding Layer
- Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix : The larger box of instant pudding is what the recipe calls for. I don’t recommend using sugar-free instant pudding because this recipe has not been tested using it, so experiment if you wish.
- Half and Half : You want a higher fat milk to help the pudding layer thicken and set nicely. You could also use whole milk if wanted.
Topping & Garnishes
- Fresh Bananas : Slice the bananas into thin slices.
- Nilla Wafers : You can crush these, leave them whole, or use the Mini Nilla wafers for a smaller sized cookie garnish for each slice.
- Cool Whip : This is the final layer. Sometimes if I have time, I like to make my own whipped cream for the top layer because it tastes so good!
How To Make Layered Banana Pudding Lush – Printable Recipe Card
Make The Crust : Add the graham crackers and light brown sugar into a food processor and blend/crush at high speed. Turn the food processor to low speed and slowly add the melted butter. Process until the mixture resembles wet crumbs and begins to get clumpy.
Firmly press the crumbs into the bottom only of a 9×13 baking pan. Place the crust in the freezer for 20 minutes while you prepared the other layers, so it has time to harden and set.
Make The Cheesecake Layer : In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until smooth and combined well. Add the Cool Whip and mix on low-medium speed until combined well.
Evenly spread the cheesecake layer over top the graham cracker crust inside the pan. Make sure to spread it all the way to the edges to ensure a tight and even layer of cheesecake.
* Optional Banana Slices Layer : If wanted, add the sliced bananas over top the cheesecake layer right before pouring the pudding over top of it. If the bananas are exposed for too long then they will start to brown fairly quickly.
Make The Banana Pudding Layer : Whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and half and half inside a mixing bowl, until the pudding has dissolved and the mixture starts to thicken. Let the pudding sit for about 3 minutes so it can thicken even more.
Evenly spread the banana pudding layer over top the cheesecake layer inside the pan.
Whipped Cream : Evenly spread the Cool Whip over top the dessert for the final layer.
Chill & Serve : Cover the dessert with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours, but overnight is best!
When ready to serve, garnish the top of the lush with crushed or whole Nilla Wafer cookies and/or fresh banana slices.
Can I Use Homemade Whipped Cream Instead of Cool Whip?
Yes! It will make the prep time longer but the homemade, fresh taste is usually worth it. If you want to use homemade whipped cream then you will need 6 cups whipped cream to replace the two (8 ounce) containers of Cool Whip. Each 8 ounce container of Cool Whip container 3 cups of whipped topping.
Add 3 cups heavy whipping cream + 3/4 cup powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to beat, at low speed, until stiff peaks form. As the cream thickens increase the speed of the mixer. This whole process takes about 5 minutes to get thick, stabilized whipped cream.
Crust Substitutions
- Nilla Wafer Crust : Instead of graham crackers use 3 cups of Nilla Wafers.
- Golden Oreo Crust : Using Oreo cookies will make the crust significantly sweeter so keep that in mind. Use 26 Golden Oreos in place of the graham crackers.
Storage Instructions For Banana Pudding Lush
It’s best to store this dessert in the fridge. It does keep well for several days in the fridge but the sliced bananas will brown and get really soft (especially the exposed ones). There are some ways to fix this – don’t add the layer of sliced bananas inside the lush dessert, or leave off the sliced banana garnish from the whole dessert and instead garnish each slice with a slice of fresh banana.
Cover the dessert with plastic wrap or a lid and store leftovers inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also remove individual slices and store them inside an airtight container.
Recipe Tips
- For a lump-free cheesecake layer, make sure the cream cheese is softened before using it. Leave the cream cheese out at room temperature for 2 hours before using, or you can unwrap it and place it on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave for about 20 seconds to soften it (you don’t want it hot or melted at all, just softened).
- Make sure the crust is firmly packed and pressed into the bottom of the pan. This will help prevent the crust from falling apart and being crumbly when cut into. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or cup to firmly pack the crumbs into the pan.
- To keep the banana slices from turning brown, dip each slice briefly into some lemon juice (bottled or fresh). The acid in the lemon juice will help the banana stay nice looking for longer.
More Banana Dessert Recipes To Try
- The Best Banana Bread Cake
- Nutella Banana Muffins
- Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
- Banana Upside Down Cake
- Buttermilk Banana Bread
More No Bake Lush Desserts
- Banana Split Lush
- Butterscotch Lush
- Strawberry Cheesecake Lush
- Raspberry Cheesecake Lush
- Strawberry Lush
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lush
- Pina Colada Lush
- White Chocolate Lush
Banana Pudding Lush
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 15 graham cracker sheets
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter melted
Cheesecake Layer
- 2 bars (8 oz each) cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
- 3 bananas sliced (optional layer)
Banana Pudding Layer
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant banana cream pudding mix
- 2½ cups half and half
Topping & Garnishes
- 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
- Nilla Wafers crushed or whole
- Sliced Banana (add just before serving)
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Add the graham crackers and light brown sugar into a food processor and blend/crush at high speed. Turn the food processor to low speed and slowly add the melted butter. Process until the mixture resembles wet crumbs and begins to get clumpy.15 graham cracker sheets, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- Firmly press the crumbs into the bottom only of a 9×13 baking pan. Place the crust in the freezer for 15 minutes so it has time to harden and set.
Cheesecake Layer
- In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until smooth and combined well. Add the Cool Whip and mix on low-medium speed until combined well.2 bars (8 oz each) cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 8 ounces Cool Whip
- Evenly spread the cheesecake layer over top the graham cracker crust inside the pan. Make sure to spread it all the way to the edges to ensure a tight and even layer of cheesecake.
- **Optional Banana Slices Layer : If wanted, add the sliced bananas over top the cheesecake layer right before pouring the pudding over top of it. If the bananas are exposed for too long then they will start to brown fairly quickly.3 bananas
Banana Pudding Layer
- Whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and half and half inside a mixing bowl, until the pudding has dissolved and the mixture starts to thicken. Let the pudding sit for about 3 minutes so it can thicken even more.1 box (5.1 oz) instant banana cream pudding mix, 2½ cups half and half
- Evenly spread the banana pudding layer over top the cheesecake layer/banana slices layer inside the pan.
Whipped Cream Layer
- Evenly spread the Cool Whip over top the dessert for the final layer.8 ounces Cool Whip
Chill & Serve
- Cover the dessert with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours, but overnight is best!
- When ready to serve, garnish the top of the lush with crushed or whole Nilla Wafer cookies and/or fresh banana slices.Nilla Wafers, Sliced Banana
Notes
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