Decadent Banana Pudding Brownies: The Perfect Dessert Hybrid

Do you ever find yourself torn between the rich, chewy delight of a brownie and the cool, creamy comfort of banana pudding? It’s a common predicament for dessert lovers. But what if we said you no longer have to choose? Picture this: a fudgy, golden blondie base, generously topped with a velvety banana cream pudding, fresh banana slices, and a crunchy biscuit crumble. We’re here to tell you that this dream is a reality, as we’ve developed the ultimate fusion dessert that combines all these wonderful elements: Banana Pudding Brownies.

This recipe offers more than just a sweet indulgence; it’s a true culinary experience. It captures the nostalgia of a beloved childhood pudding while delivering the satisfying chew of a freshly baked bar. We will guide you through each stage of creating these magnificent dessert bars, which are ideal for any occasion, from a simple midweek treat to the star attraction at your next get-together. Let’s get baking—this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Wonderful Medley of Textures: We have designed a dessert that presents a delightful symphony of textures. You’ll experience the soft, chewy blondie base, the smooth, luscious pudding layer, tender banana slices, and a satisfying crunch from the biscuit topping. Each mouthful offers a new sensation.
• A Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: These are more than just simple bars; they make a statement. Their beautiful layers give them an impressive appearance, guaranteeing they will be the highlight of any party, potluck, or family meal.
• Remarkably Easy to Prepare: Despite their gourmet look, these layered banana pudding brownies are surprisingly straightforward to put together. We utilise a pudding mix to make the process quicker, turning this into a fantastic easy banana dessert recipe suitable for bakers of every ability.
• The Ultimate Comforting Treat: By merging two cherished desserts, we’ve created a comforting and deeply satisfying treat that ticks all the boxes. It’s also the perfect way to make use of those overripe bananas on your kitchen counter. If you adore banana bakes, you may also appreciate our classic Banana Bread Recipe.

Ingredients

• unsalted butter
• light brown sugar
• large egg
• vanilla extract
• plain flour
• baking powder
• white chocolate chips
• instant banana cream pudding mix
• whole milk
• double cream
• ripe bananas
• vanilla wafer biscuits
• whipped cream
• banana slices

To craft these extraordinary bars, we have organised the ingredients into three main components: the blondie base, the creamy pudding layer, and the traditional topping. Having all your elements prepared in advance will make the assembly process seamless.

• For the Blondie Base:
• 170g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 200g (1 cup) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 160g (1 ¼ cups) plain flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 150g (1 cup) white chocolate chips
• For the Banana Pudding Layer:
• 1 (100g) package instant banana cream pudding mix
• 400ml whole milk, cold
• 150ml double cream, cold
• 2 medium ripe bananas, thinly sliced
• For the Topping:
• 15-20 vanilla wafer biscuits (or shortbread), roughly crushed
• Extra whipped cream for garnish (optional)
• Extra banana slices for garnish (optional)

How to Make Perfect Banana Pudding Brownies

Assembling these delightful bars is all about building the layers. We begin with the baked base, then add the creamy filling, and finally, apply that distinctive crunchy topping. Follow our instructions closely to achieve dessert perfection!

Step 1: Create the Chewy Blondie Base

The foundation of our dessert is a chewy, buttery blondie studded with white chocolate. This creates the ideal sturdy-yet-tender platform for the creamy pudding. This type of base distinguishes it from a typical chocolate version, but if you are a true chocolate enthusiast, you could adapt our Fudgy Banana Brownies recipe for the base instead.

1. Prepare Your Tin: To begin, preheat your oven to 175°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a 9×9 inch (23×23 cm) square baking tin with baking parchment, allowing some to hang over the sides. This overhang will function as a sling, making it much simpler to remove the bars later on.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and light brown sugar together until fully combined and the mixture appears glossy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and has lightened in colour slightly.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, mix the plain flour, baking powder, and salt together.
4. Bring It All Together: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in stages, using a spatula or wooden spoon to mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten and result in a tough base. Finally, gently fold in the white chocolate chips—after all, white chocolate banana brownies wouldn’t be right without them.
5. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the batter into your prepared tin, spreading it out evenly using the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a skewer inserted into the centre emerges with moist crumbs. Allow the blondie base to cool completely in the tin—this is a vital step!

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Banana Pudding Layer

While the base cools, we can get on with preparing the luscious pudding layer. This is the element that elevates the bars from simple blondies into authentic banana pudding dessert bars.

1. Make the Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk the instant banana pudding mix with the cold whole milk for approximately two minutes, until it begins to thicken. Pop the bowl in the fridge and let it set for at least 10 minutes, or until firm.
2. Whip the Cream: In another bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold double cream until it forms stiff peaks.
3. Combine for Creaminess: Gently fold the whipped cream into the set pudding until everything is smoothly combined. This process lightens the pudding, creating a fluffy, mousse-like consistency that is key to the ultimate banana cream brownies experience.

Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Now for the fun part! It’s time to bring all the elements together to form those beautiful, distinct layers.

1. Spread the Pudding: When the blondie base is completely cool to the touch, spread the banana pudding mixture evenly across the top.
2. Add the Bananas: Arrange the thinly sliced ripe bananas in a single, even layer over the pudding. If you need a quick way to ripen your bananas, BBC Good Food has some excellent tips.
3. Top with Biscuits: Sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafer biscuits uniformly over the banana layer. Feel free to leave some larger pieces for added texture.
4. Chill Out: Cover the tin with cling film and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better. This step is absolutely essential! It allows the pudding to set fully, which is crucial for cutting clean, neat slices.

Step 4: Slicing and Serving

Once properly chilled, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab from the tin onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to divide it into 16 squares. For the cleanest possible cuts, wipe the blade with a damp cloth between each slice. You can serve them as they are or garnish with an extra dollop of whipped cream and a fresh banana slice for that perfect finishing touch.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Dessert Awaits

And there you have it—a dessert that truly excels on every level. These Banana Pudding Brownies are a perfect marriage of texture and taste, blending a chewy blondie base with a creamy, dreamy pudding. They offer a fantastic opportunity to transform a classic comfort food into something exceptionally special and memorable.

We are so thrilled for you to give this recipe a try. It is a delight to create and an even greater joy to share with those you care about. So, the next time you find yourself with some ripe bananas, we encourage you to resist making another loaf of banana bread and attempt these incredible bars instead. Please let us know how they came out in the comments section below, or tag us in your photos on social media. Happy baking!

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Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Serves: 16

Ingredients

• For the Blondie Base:
• 170g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 200g (1 cup) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 160g (1 ¼ cups) plain flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 150g (1 cup) white chocolate chips
• For the Banana Pudding Layer:
• 1 (100g) package instant banana cream pudding mix
• 400ml whole milk, cold
• 150ml double cream, cold
• 2 medium ripe bananas, thinly sliced
• For the Topping:
• 15-20 vanilla wafer biscuits, roughly crushed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line a 9×9 inch square baking tin. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until glossy. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
3. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared tin and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow the blondie base to cool completely in the tin.
4. While the base cools, make the pudding. Whisk the instant pudding mix with cold milk for two minutes until it thickens. Chill for at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, whip the double cream to stiff peaks and gently fold it into the set pudding.
5. Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cooled blondie base. Arrange a layer of thinly sliced bananas on top of the pudding.
6. Sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafer biscuits over the banana layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the layers to set.
7. Lift the slab from the tin using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into 16 squares and serve. Garnish with extra whipped cream and banana slices if desired.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 324, Carbs: 38 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 17 g