Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Banana pudding cheesecake stacks a Nilla wafer crust with creamy banana cheesecake and fresh banana slices for the southern classic remix that broke TikTok. ♡

This viral banana pudding cheesecake is the southern classic remixed into the most decadent layered dessert on TikTok. A buttery Nilla wafer crust holds a creamy banana pudding cheesecake filling studded with fresh banana slices, then gets topped with whipped cream and crushed wafers for the iconic banana pudding parfait look. (more viral cheesy garlic bread chicken ideas).

Southern banana pudding gone full cheesecake mode. Let’s make it together.

Ingredients

Banana Pudding Cheesecake

• 2.5 cups Nilla wafer crumbs, from about 50 wafers
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 24 oz cream cheese, softened 1 hour
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed, plus 2 sliced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice, for slices
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1.5 cups cold heavy cream
• 20 whole Nilla wafers, for middle layer
• 2 cups cold heavy cream, for topping
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for topping
• 1 tsp vanilla extract, for topping

How to Make Banana Pudding Cheesecake

1. Crust. Mix Nilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a bowl until like wet sand. Press into a 9 inch springform pan. Chill 20 minutes.
2. Beat. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, mashed bananas, and pudding mix 2 minutes until smooth.
3. Whip. In a separate bowl whip 1.5 cups cold cream to stiff peaks. Fold into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions.
4. Layer. Spread half the filling over the chilled crust. Toss banana slices in lemon juice. Layer Nilla wafers and half the banana slices over the filling. Spread remaining filling on top.
5. Chill. Cover and chill 6 hours in the fridge.
6. Top. Whip 2 cups cold cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over the chilled cheesecake.
7. Garnish. Top with remaining banana slices and crushed Nilla wafers right before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

Banana pudding cheesecake went viral in 2024 because Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding became one of the most filmed desserts on TikTok with over 600 million views, and bakers started turning the format into other desserts. The cheesecake version delivers the same flavor in a sliceable cake format that holds up at room temp longer than a traditional pudding.

Using fresh ripe bananas folded into the cheesecake gives the most authentic banana pudding flavor. Banana extract tastes artificial and one note, while real ripe bananas have layered flavor compounds that develop as the fruit ripens. Mashing them into the cream cheese filling distributes that real banana taste through every bite.

Layering Nilla wafers between the cheesecake and the bananas is the trick that recreates the parfait texture in cake form. Wafers absorb moisture from the bananas and turn cake soft, just like in traditional banana pudding. Without that layer the cheesecake reads as just cheesecake with bananas in it, but with the wafer layer it tastes exactly like banana pudding.

Tips

• Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the strongest banana flavor.
• Brush banana slices with lemon juice to slow the browning before they hit the filling.
• Soften cream cheese 1 full hour at room temp for a smooth lump free filling.
• Chill 6 hours minimum before slicing for clean cuts.
• Add the whipped cream topping just before serving so it stays fluffy.
• Common mistake: do not skip the wafer middle layer. It is what gives the parfait texture.

For more on the cinnamon, dig into the food science.

Variations

• Add a layer of dulce de leche between the crust and the cheesecake for caramel banana flavor.
• Use chocolate Nilla wafers for a chocolate banana pudding twist.
• Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the crust for a southern crunch.
• Top with chocolate shavings along with the whipped cream and wafers.
• Add 1/4 cup peanut butter to the cheesecake for a peanut butter banana version.
• Use vanilla bean paste in the filling for visible vanilla specks.

Want another twist? Try our dubai chocolate strawberry cups for a different sweet treat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using underripe bananas. Use ripe bananas with brown spots. Underripe bananas taste starchy and bland.
• Skipping lemon juice on bananas. Brush banana slices with lemon juice to keep them yellow inside the cheesecake.
• Cold cream cheese. Soften 1 full hour. Cold cream cheese stays lumpy no matter how long you mix.
• Slicing too soon. Chill 6 hours minimum. Cutting warm cheesecake smears the layers together.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Viral banana pudding cheesecake stacks Nilla wafer crust with creamy banana filling and fresh bananas. Southern classic remixed. Get the recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2.5 cups Nilla wafer crumbs from about 50 wafers
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 24 oz cream cheese softened 1 hour
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 medium ripe bananas mashed, plus 2 sliced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice for slices
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1.5 cups cold heavy cream
• 20 whole Nilla wafers for middle layer
• 2 cups cold heavy cream for topping
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar for topping
• 1 tsp vanilla extract for topping

Method

 

1. **Crust.** Mix Nilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a bowl until like wet sand. Press into a 9 inch springform pan. Chill 20 minutes.
2. **Beat.** Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, mashed bananas, and pudding mix 2 minutes until smooth.
3. **Whip.** In a separate bowl whip 1.5 cups cold cream to stiff peaks. Fold into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions.
4. **Layer.** Spread half the filling over the chilled crust. Toss banana slices in lemon juice. Layer Nilla wafers and half the banana slices over the filling. Spread remaining filling on top.
5. **Chill.** Cover and chill 6 hours in the fridge.
6. **Top.** Whip 2 cups cold cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over the chilled cheesecake.
7. **Garnish.** Top with remaining banana slices and crushed Nilla wafers right before serving.

Notes

Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the strongest banana flavor. Brush banana slices with lemon juice to slow the browning before they hit the filling. Soften cream cheese 1 full hour at room temp for a smooth lump free filling.

FAQ

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