Discover the ultimate Banana Pudding Brownies recipe perfected over five years. A rich, fudgy, banana-flavored dessert layered with cream cheese, cookies, and pudding.
Why You’ll Love These Banana Pudding Brownies
If you’ve ever wanted a dessert that tastes like banana pudding but bakes up fudgy like a brownie, this is it. After five years of testing, tweaking, and eating way too many bananas, I finally perfected this Banana Pudding Brownie recipe.
What makes them so good? A rich banana-cake-based batter, a creamy cheesecake swirl, and a crunchy layer of vanilla wafers baked right in. It’s the nostalgic comfort of Southern banana pudding meets the gooey indulgence of a brownie.
And the best part? Even if you’re not a big banana fan, these brownies are perfectly balanced—you’ll still love them.
🍌 Banana Pudding Brownies (The Dessert You’ll Fall in Love With)
Ingredients for Banana Pudding Brownies
For the Brownie Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or banana supreme cake mix, if available)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 box instant banana cream pudding mix
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
For the Cheesecake Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers or golden cookies
- Optional: banana pudding ice cream for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with non-stick spray.
2. Make the Brownie Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, brown sugar, cornstarch, banana pudding mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Add in vegetable oil and eggs. Stir until the mixture is thick, resembling brownie batter.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Swirl
In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Assemble the Layers
Pour the banana brownie batter into the prepared pan.
Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly on top.
Sprinkle with crushed vanilla wafers or golden cookies.
5. Bake to Perfection
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Allow brownies to cool before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these brownies warm with a scoop of banana pudding ice cream for the ultimate indulgence. Or let them cool completely for a clean slice with layers that pop.
Tips & Tricks
- No banana pudding mix? Swap with vanilla pudding mix for a subtle flavor.
- Want more banana flavor? Mash half a ripe banana into the batter.
- Make ahead: These brownies taste even better the next day after chilling in the fridge.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this without cream cheese?
A: Yes, but you’ll miss that cheesecake swirl. You can double the brownie batter instead.
Q: Can I freeze these brownies?
A: Absolutely! Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Q: Do I need to use cake mix?
A: The cake mix shortcut helps with texture, but you can make a scratch version with flour, sugar, and baking powder.
These Banana Pudding Brownies are a dessert worth waiting for. Creamy, fudgy, and nostalgic—they taste like childhood but elevated. After years of testing, I can confidently say this recipe is ready for your kitchen.
🍌 Bake them once, and you’ll never go back to plain brownies again.
