If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the creamy indulgence of banana pudding with the sophisticated charm of tiramisu, you are in for a real treat with this Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe. This luscious dessert takes two beloved classics and transforms them into a harmonious blend of silky pudding, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and fresh bananas, all topped with a cocoa dusting. It’s comfort and elegance on one plate and perfect for impressing friends or simply enjoying a special moment at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe is a beautiful balance of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients and fresh additions that deliver spectacular flavor and texture. Each element plays its part, from the rich custard base to the coffee-dipped ladyfingers and bright banana slices.
- Whole milk: Provides a creamy, smooth base for the pudding that’ll keep every spoonful luscious.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard perfectly without overpowering the natural banana flavor.
- Cornstarch: Acts as a thickener, giving the pudding its perfect velvety consistency.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors by adding just the right amount of balance.
- Large egg yolks: Create richness and help the pudding come together with a silky texture.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a beautiful creaminess and depth to the pudding.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and a delicate floral note that complements the bananas.
- Banana extract (optional but recommended): Boosts the banana flavor for a more intense dessert experience.
- Whipped topping: Lightens the pudding and adds airy softness.
- Ladyfingers: These spongey cookies soak up the coffee mixture, adding the classic tiramisu texture.
- Strong brewed coffee: Essential for dipping the ladyfingers, giving that signature tiramisu flavor.
- Banana liqueur or rum (optional): Adds adult sophistication with a subtle kick.
- Ripe bananas: Fresh fruit layers bring natural sweetness and a tropical touch.
- Lemon juice: Prevents banana slices from browning and keeps them fresh-looking.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: The final dusting that adds a hint of bitterness and elegant finish.
How to Make Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Banana Pudding Base
Begin by whisking together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan until everything is completely smooth. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks until they are slightly pale, then temper them by gradually adding one cup of the warm milk mixture, whisking constantly to avoid scrambling. Return this mixture to the saucepan and cook it on medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This step is crucial to achieve that perfect creamy custard texture.
Step 2: Flavor and Chill the Pudding
Once thickened, take the pudding off the heat and stir in unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and banana extract for that extra bang of flavor. Transfer the pudding to a bowl, press plastic wrap directly on its surface to prevent a skin from forming, and chill it in the fridge for at least two hours, or even better, overnight. The chilling time helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Step 3: Fold in the Whipped Topping
After the pudding is chilled, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping. This step lightens the custard, giving it an airy, cloud-like feel that balances the dense coffee-soaked ladyfingers later on.
Step 4: Prepare Coffee Mixture and Bananas
Brew your coffee strong and allow it to cool completely. Mix in banana liqueur or rum if you are using it. At the same time, slice the ripe bananas and toss them with lemon juice to keep them vibrant and fresh, making sure every layer shines visually and in taste.
Step 5: Assemble the Layers
Very briefly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture—just a few seconds so they soak but don’t become soggy. Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of your dish, spread half the banana pudding over them, and then layer half the bananas on top. Repeat this layering process, finishing with the banana pudding and bananas on top. The layers build that classic tiramisu structure but with a sweet tropical twist.
Step 6: Chill and Finish
Cover your assembled dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours, allowing the flavors to marry and the texture to firm up perfectly. Before serving, dust the top generously with unsweetened cocoa powder for a traditional tiramisu flourish.
How to Serve Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe even further, consider adding a few extra banana slices or curls of white chocolate on top for creamy contrast. Fresh mint leaves also add a pop of color and a refreshing hint that pairs wonderfully with the rich dessert.
Side Dishes
This dessert stands out as a star on its own but pairs amazingly well with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a light fruit salad. The creaminess of the ice cream complements the tiramisu layers while a citrusy, fresh fruit salad provides a zesty balance to the rich dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe in individual glass jars or trifle bowls—this way, every guest can see all the beautiful layers. You can also use a piping bag to create neat dollops of pudding on top for an elegant look before dusting the cocoa powder.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe tightly covered in the refrigerator. It stays delicious for up to three days, allowing the flavors to deepen even more. Always use an airtight container or cover the dish with plastic wrap to maintain freshness.
Freezing
While this dessert is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated, you can freeze it if necessary. Cover it well with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Texture might change slightly, but it remains a delightful treat.
Reheating
This is a cold dessert, so reheating is not recommended. The creamy pudding and fresh bananas shine best chilled to keep the signature texture and flavor harmonious.
FAQs
Can I make the Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe without coffee?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of coffee, you can substitute it with strong brewed tea or simply use milk with a little vanilla to dip the ladyfingers for a different but tasty twist.
Is the banana extract really necessary?
The banana extract is optional but highly recommended. It boosts the banana flavor without overpowering the dessert, giving a rich, aromatic touch that fresh bananas alone might not achieve.
How ripe should the bananas be?
Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm. Overripe bananas might turn mushy and cause the layers to become watery. Tossing slices in lemon juice also helps keep their color and texture intact.
Can I use homemade ladyfingers or another type of cookie?
Definitely! Homemade ladyfingers work wonderfully if you want more control over texture. Alternatively, sponge cake or biscotti can be creative substitutes, though the classic ladyfinger texture is ideal for soaking.
How far in advance can I assemble the Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe?
You can assemble it up to one day ahead. In fact, letting it chill overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully and improves the dessert’s texture. Just be sure to cover it tightly in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe a try because it’s one of those magical desserts that feels special yet comforting at the same time. The blend of luscious banana pudding with the classic tiramisu coffee notes is addictive in the best way possible. Whether for a family gathering or a cozy night in, this dish will bring smiles and satisfied sighs all around. Happy dessert making!
Print
Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Banana Pudding Tiramisu is a delightful fusion of two beloved desserts—classic tiramisu and creamy banana pudding. This recipe features layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, smooth banana-infused custard pudding, fresh banana slices, and whipped topping, all dusted with cocoa powder for an elegant finish. Perfect for a crowd, it combines rich flavors and textures to create an irresistible treat that’s best served chilled.
Ingredients
Pudding Base
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon banana extract (optional, but recommended!)
Additional Components
- 1 (12 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 1 (7 ounce) package ladyfingers (about 24–30 cookies)
- 1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 2 tablespoons banana liqueur (like crème de banane) or rum (optional)
- 3–4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (to prevent browning)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Custard Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth to ensure no lumps in the pudding.
- Temper the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks until slightly pale. Slowly drizzle 1 cup of the milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, stirring to combine.
- Cook the Custard: Over medium heat, stir constantly until thickened and simmering, about 5-7 minutes. The custard should coat the back of a spoon.
- Add Flavor and Butter: Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla extract, and banana extract until melted and fully incorporated.
- Chill the Pudding: Transfer pudding to a bowl, cover surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to set and cool completely.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Once chilled, gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding to add lightness and creaminess.
- Prepare Coffee Soak: Brew strong coffee and let it cool completely. Mix cooled coffee with banana liqueur or rum if desired in a shallow dish for dipping ladyfingers.
- Slice and Toss Bananas: Just before assembling, slice bananas and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning and keep them fresh-looking.
- Soak Ladyfingers: Lightly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee soak for a few seconds—do not soak too long or they’ll become soggy.
- First Layer Assembly: Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish or trifle bowl to create a base.
- Spread Banana Pudding: Evenly spread half of the banana pudding mixture over the ladyfingers, creating a thick creamy layer.
- Add Banana Slices: Arrange half of the sliced bananas evenly over the pudding layer.
- Repeat Ladyfingers Layer: Dip the remaining ladyfingers in coffee soak and arrange them over the banana slices in an even layer.
- Second Pudding Layer: Spread the remaining banana pudding mixture over the second layer of ladyfingers evenly.
- Top with Bananas: Arrange the remaining banana slices over the final pudding layer for a beautiful presentation.
- Chill the Dessert: Cover the entire dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to let flavors meld and the dessert set properly.
- Dust with Cocoa: Before serving, generously dust the top with unsweetened cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu finish and extra flavor.
- Serve: Slice and serve chilled, enjoying the harmonious blend of creamy banana pudding and coffee-soaked ladyfingers.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the dessert to chill overnight before serving.
- Tempering the egg yolks is crucial to prevent scrambling and ensure smooth custard.
- If banana extract is unavailable, increase vanilla extract by 1 teaspoon for flavor balance.
- Adjust the soaking time of ladyfingers to avoid sogginess—quick dips work best.
- Use firm but ripe bananas to prevent mushiness in layers.
- The banana liqueur adds a subtle banana aroma but can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.
