Easy Banana Pudding Trifle

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This Banana Pudding Trifle is easy and delicious! Banana trifle recipes are perfect for any time of year and everybody will love this one!

A banana pudding trifle on a yellow and white gingham napkin on a white table

Banana Trifle

Trifles are one of my favorite recipes to make for a family gathering and this Banana Pudding Trifle is fantastic! I’ve made this easy recipe for countless parties and it is always a hit.

With layers of fresh bananas, upon layers of Nilla Wafer cookies, combined with layers of pudding, this no-bake banana pudding trifle will easily become one of your favorite desserts. 

My daughter likes to help make our banana cream trifle by cutting the bananas and the pound cake, and then we stack everything together. It’s been a great way to encourage her in the kitchen!

There is no electric mixer or oven involved and she really enjoys putting the layered banana pudding trifle together. Plus, the whole thing takes less than half an hour. 

Always vegetarian, this beautiful dessert is the best banana pudding recipe I’ve ever tasted. Since bananas aren’t ever completely out of season and you can have the rest of the ingredients on hand if you need an easy dessert, you can keep this in your back pocket. 

The perfect dessert to serve at the holidays, a baby shower, or during the summer months, this is one of those banana desserts that everyone will gush over. 

Recipe Notes:

  • If you want to use homemade pudding or homemade whipped cream in this no-bake recipe, you can. 
  • Keep your Banana Pudding Trifle in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. 

Ingredients for a banana trifle on a wooden table including a pound cake on a white plate, a box of Nilla wafers, three bananas, a red measuring cup of milk, two boxes of banana Jello and whipped cream

How To Make Banana Trifle Recipe

Banana Trifle Ingredients:

2 boxes banana cream instant pudding 3.4 oz each
8 oz tub Cool Whip
5 ripe bananas
4 cups cold milk
1 pound cake 10.75oz (I use Sara Lee frozen)
1 can whipped cream (I used Reddi Wip)
25 Nilla Wafers

Supplies Needed:

Large bowl
Large whisk
Large glass trifle dish
Cutting board
Sharp knife

A white bowl with cold milk and banana pudding being mixed on a wooden table

Directions:

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to mix both boxes of your instant pudding with 4 cups of milk (Double check this with the banana pudding recipe on the box!).

Set the bowl in the fridge for 5 minutes to allow your luscious banana pudding to soft set.

Banana pudding in a bowl with whipped topping being mixed in with a whiskStep 2: Remove the pudding from the fridge, mix in your whipped topping, and set the large bowl back in the fridge for another 5 minutes.

Nilla Wafers and sliced bananas lining the inside of a trifle dishStep 3: While this is setting, cover the bottom of your glass trifle bowl with a layer of vanilla wafers.

A banana being sliced on a wooden cutting boardStep 4: Slice your fresh bananas and set most of them aside. Start by placing some sliced bananas around the sides of your large trifle bowl. Try to choose the banana slices without brown spots. 

A white bowl of banana pudding with Cool Whip mixed together with an orange whisk on a wooden tableStep 5: Pour half of your pudding mixture on top of your vanilla wafer cookies and slices of banana in the trifle dish. Add a layer of bananas on top of the pudding.

Banana pudding and sliced bananas in a trifle dish on a wooden tableStep 6: Next, cut your pound cake twice lengthwise (so that you have three long pieces) and eight times width-wise (so you have approximately 27 pieces).

Sliced pound cake and sliced bananas on a wooden tableStart placing your pound cake cubes along the sides of your trifle dish and then fill the center (using approximately 13 or 14 pieces total).

Sliced pound cake inside a trifle dish on a wooden tableStep 7: Add your remaining pudding, being sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Step 8: Add another layer of banana slices on top of your pudding layer and then another layer of pound cake in the same pattern as your first few layers.

Banana pudding with sliced bananas around a trifle dish on a wooden tableStep 9: Fill the center with whipped cream and fill the spaces in between your top layer of pound cake with more whipped cream.

In the center, on the top of the trifle, add a few vanilla wafers and a banana slice. Feel free to sprinkle some crushed vanilla wafers over the top if you should choose and serve.

Top of the Banana Pudding Trifle with visible pound cake, whipped cream, Nilla Wafers, an a banana slice on a wooden table*Pro tip – save the whipped cream until the last minute before serving or it will start to melt. If you are bringing the trifle with you to a gathering, bring the whipped cream with you and apply it when you get there for the best results.

A Banana Pudding Trifle on a white table with a yellow and white checkered placemat

How To Store Leftover Banana Trifle

Store any leftovers in an airtight container or in the trifle bowl with a thick layer of plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This delicious recipe tastes just as good the next day!

Can I Replace The Nilla Wafers In This Banana Pudding Trifle Recipe?

Nilla Wafers should always be your first choice for this quick dessert, but you can easily substitute graham crackers in a pinch. This is one of those dessert recipes that you can play with a bit, but you’ll want to keep to the easy list of ingredients if you can. 

A closeup of Banana Pudding Trifle in the trifle dish on a yellow and white checkered tablecloth

Can I Turn This Large Banana Trifle Into Individual Trifles? 

Yes! If you want to offer this creamy dessert to many people in smaller dishes, you absolutely can. 

In about ten small glasses or mason jars, add a layer of cookies, layers of bananas, pound cake, and banana pudding. Top each one with a Nilla Wafer or any remaining cake pieces and serve. 

Are You Looking For Some Other Tasty No-Bake Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Ouddy (Upgraded) 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisks 8Ouddy (Upgraded) 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisks 8Ouddy (Upgraded) 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisks 8OXO Good Grips 3- Piece Mixing Bowl SetOXO Good Grips 3- Piece Mixing Bowl SetOXO Good Grips 3- Piece Mixing Bowl SetGorilla Grip Oversized Cutting Board, 3 Piece, Easy Grip Handle, Juice Grooves, Non-Slip, Extra Large Thick Chopping Boards, Dishwasher Safe, Non Porous, Kitchen, Professional Serving, Set of 3, BlackGorilla Grip Oversized Cutting Board, 3 Piece, Easy Grip Handle, Juice Grooves, Non-Slip, Extra Large Thick Chopping Boards, Dishwasher Safe, Non Porous, Kitchen, Professional Serving, Set of 3, BlackGorilla Grip Oversized Cutting Board, 3 Piece, Easy Grip Handle, Juice Grooves, Non-Slip, Extra Large Thick Chopping Boards, Dishwasher Safe, Non Porous, Kitchen, Professional Serving, Set of 3, BlackYourtablecloth Buffalo Plaid 100% Cotton Cloth Checkered Dinner Table Napkins – Vibrant Colors – Soft & Super Absorbent Napkins 20 x 20 Set of 6 Yellow and WhiteYourtablecloth Buffalo Plaid 100% Cotton Cloth Checkered Dinner Table Napkins – Vibrant Colors – Soft & Super Absorbent Napkins 20 x 20 Set of 6 Yellow and WhiteYourtablecloth Buffalo Plaid 100% Cotton Cloth Checkered Dinner Table Napkins – Vibrant Colors – Soft & Super Absorbent Napkins 20 x 20 Set of 6 Yellow and White

 

Yield: 15 servings

Easy Banana Pudding Trifle

A Banana Pudding Trifle on a white table with a yellow and white checkered placemat

This Banana Pudding Trifle is easy and delicious! Banana Trifle recipes are perfect for any time of year and everybody will love this one!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes banana cream instant pudding 3.4 oz each
  • 8 oz tub Cool Whip
  • 5 fresh bananas
  • 4 cups cold milk
  • 1 pound cake 10.75oz (I use Sara Lee frozen)
  • 1 can whipped cream (I used Reddi Wip)
  • 25 Nilla Wafers

Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to mix both boxes of your instant pudding with 4 cups of milk. Set your pudding in the fridge for 5 minutes to allow your pudding to soft set.
    2. Next, remove the pudding from the fridge, mix in your whipped topping, and set the bowl back in the fridge for another 5 minutes.
    3. While this is setting, cover the bottom of your trifle dish with Nilla Wafers.
    4. Slice your bananas and place them on the side of your trifle dish, all the way around the sides.
    5. Pour half of your pudding on top of your Nilla wafers and bananas, in the trifle dish.
    6. Add a layer of bananas on top of your pudding layer.
    7. Next, cut your pound cake twice lengthwise (so that you have three long pieces) and eight times width-wise (so you have approximately 27 pieces).
    8. Start placing your pound cake pieces along the sides of your trifle dish and then fill the center (using approximately 13 or 14 pieces total).
    9. Add another layer of your pudding, bananas, then pound cake in the same pattern as your first few layers.
    10. Fill the center with whipped cream and fill the spaces in between your top layer of pound cake with more whipped cream.
    11. Top the center off with a few vanilla wafers and a banana slice.
    12. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Save the whipped cream until the last minute before serving or it will start to melt. If you are bringing the trifle with you to a gathering, bring the whipped cream with you and apply when you get there!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 323Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 6g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

Banana Pudding Trifle on a wooden table and another picture of the top of the trifle

Banana Pudding Trifle on a white table with a yellow and white checkered placemat

A closeup of the Banana Pudding Trifle

A closeup of the Banana Pound Cake Pudding Trifle

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