Oh, there is nothing better than a dessert you don’t have to turn an oven on for, right? Pure, dreamy creaminess delivered straight to your spoon! I truly think I’ve perfected the ultimate no-bake recipe: the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert. This isn’t just some sloppy pudding cup; this is tested, layered perfection that tastes exactly like comfort.
While testing this dessert, the combination of strawberries and bananas instantly reminded me of the fruit salads my mom used to prepare on warm weekends — sweet, simple, and made with love. Creating a creamy layered version felt like a grown-up twist on a childhood favorite. Honestly, this is the easiest, creamiest layered dessert you’ll ever assemble, and I promise you it works perfectly every single time.
Why This Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert Stands Out
When you need a crowd-pleasing dessert in a hurry, this recipe is the answer. I tested this setup dozens of times, and I can confidently say this Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert delivers on texture and flavor without demanding hours of your time. We all have those nights where a little sweet comfort is required, but baking just isn’t an option!
Here’s what makes it a fixture at our family gatherings, and honestly, it’s why I keep reaching for my collection of easy healthy snack ideas for inspiration:
- It’s completely no-bake, meaning zero oven time, which is a massive win in the summer.
- Prep time is under 20 minutes total—you just need a little patience while it sets up in the fridge.
- The layers create that beautiful, sweeping look, giving you that fun Strawberry Shortcake Aesthetic without the fuss of making actual cake.
- It’s sturdy enough to feed a crowd, making it perfect for potlucks or big family meals.
Trust me, once you see how simple it is, this will become your go-to rescue dessert for any occasion.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
Okay, the best part about making this gorgeous layered treat is that you likely have half the ingredients already, or they are super simple to grab! This is definitely one of my favorite Easy Strawberry Desserts because nothing here requires fancy sourcing. If you’re looking for the freshest fruit, you should always check your local produce stand or favorite grocery store section for the best picks. For the shelf-stable stuff, if you ever want input on where I usually buy my staple baking supplies, I’ve got a list floating around!
For the Cream Layer
This is the backbone of our dessert—it needs to be rich and velvety. Don’t skimp here; the yogurt helps keep it lighter than a pure whipped cream situation.
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix (regular or sugar free works great!)
- 1/2 cup Whipped topping (Tru Whip or Cool Whip, regular or sugar free)
For the Layers
This is where the fun happens! Make sure your fruit is prepped right before you start assembling so things don’t get watery.
- 16 oz strawberries, sliced
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 1/4 cup vanilla wafer cookies, crushed (the secret needed for that Strawberry Shortcake Aesthetic feel!)
Optional Topping
You can skip this entirely, but a little something extra on top makes a great final visual pop for your Strawberry Cake Design.
- As desired extra whipped topping or cookies
Essential Equipment for Making the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
Since this is such an easy recipe, we don’t need a huge collection of fancy tools. You mostly just need things to stir things in and a nice presentation dish! Having your equipment ready makes the 15-minute prep fly by.
You’ll want to make sure you have these items ready to go before you start:
- A medium bowl dedicated strictly to mixing up that delicious cream base.
- A large bowl or, even better, a stunning trifle dish or deep square casserole dish for layering.
That’s it! See? No mixer required, no stand mixer dusty from the cupboard. Just grab your bowls and let’s go!
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
This is where all that fantastic planning pays off! Since we aren’t baking anything, we need to make sure our cream is perfect before we start piling in the fruit. Remember, this Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert comes together so fast; you’ll be relaxing with a bowl before you know it. I highly recommend having your fruit all sliced up and sitting next to your vanilla wafers before you even look at the pudding mix! If you’re ever looking for other quick layered treats, check out my recipe for no-bake strawberry cheesecake parfaits—it uses a similar no-fuss method!
Preparing the Cream Base
Grab that medium bowl—it’s time for the pudding magic. You need to whisk together the milk, the Greek yogurt, and the instant vanilla pudding mix. Don’t just stir lazily; whisk until it’s totally combined and smooth. Now, this is important: follow the pudding box instructions right here. Most usually require a short rest period. We let ours sit for about 5 minutes to start thickening up. You’re aiming for something thicker than milk but way looser than thick frosting at this stage. If you’re ever curious about blending fruit into a drink instead, I always check out fresh fruit smoothie ideas for inspiration!
Folding in the Whipped Topping
Once your 5 minutes are up, dollop that glorious whipped topping right on top of your pudding mixture. Now, for the technique: you need to fold it in, not beat it in! Use a spatula and gently bring the mixture from the bottom up over the top. We want to keep all those lovely air bubbles we created when mixing the pudding. Overmixing here will make your final dessert runny, and nobody wants a soupy strawberry dream!
Assembling the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert Layers
Okay, grab your presentation dish—my favorite is a big glass trifle dish because you get to show off those beautiful stripes of color! Start with a layer of the vanilla cream mixture down at the bottom. Then, scatter half of your sliced strawberries and half of your sliced bananas over that cream. Sprinkle about half of your crushed vanilla wafer cookies on top of the fruit layer. Then, just repeat the exact sequence: cream, fruit, cookies! I try to make sure my last layer of cream ends up looking perfect on top, giving it that beautiful Strawberry Cake Design appeal. See how easy it is to create something that looks so professional for your ultimate Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert?
Expert Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
I learned so much testing this recipe—especially the hard way when I ended up with a soupy mess one afternoon! If you plan to make this ahead of time, please listen up: do NOT put the whipped topping on until just before you serve it, or it tends to weep into the pudding layer. Keep your cream mixture assembled, and just layer the fruit and wafer cookies as planned.
When you’re gathering your fruit for these Fresh Strawberry Recipes, make sure your strawberries are perfectly ripe but still firm. Mushy strawberries turn into pink water way too fast in the creamy layers. If you want more tips on getting that perfect texture in creamy desserts, I wrote down everything I learned about baking consistency when I figured out my favorite scone secrets—it’s all about texture control!
Also, try to slice your bananas evenly. Uneven slices melt into the pudding at different rates, and we want that clean, distinct layer look for the best presentation!
Serving Suggestions for Your Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
This dessert just screams summer party! Because it layers so beautifully in a glass trifle dish, it’s one of those stunning yet simple dishes that automatically upgrades any table setting. It does a fantastic job fitting right in with your collection of holiday party recipes, even though it’s light enough for a simple Tuesday night treat.
If you aren’t doing a big dish, try making individual servings in small clear glasses. That seriously nails the Strawberry Shortcake Aesthetic—you see every layer perfectly! It’s such an easy way to serve up a spectacular dessert without any fuss.
Storing Leftovers of the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
We rarely have leftovers of the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert, but when we do, storage is simple! Cover your dish tightly with plastic wrap—make sure the wrap isn’t touching the top creamy layer if you added the final whipped topping. You’ll want to keep this covered tight in the refrigerator. It tastes absolutely amazing for up to two days, but if you leave it longer than that, the cookies start getting just a little too soft for my liking. It’s a delicate balance we are protecting!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
I always get so many questions about this recipe because people want to make sure their layers are totally perfect. It’s great because that means you are looking to make this happen soon! I try to keep things adaptable, but some foundational rules really help keep this Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert sturdy and delicious.
Can I use a different cookie besides vanilla wafers in this Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert?
You absolutely can try! Vanilla wafers are traditional because they are light and absorb just the right amount of moisture to become tender, not soggy, but graham crackers work really well too if you’re aiming for maybe a more classic, slightly crumbly base. Just avoid anything too heavily spiced, like gingersnaps, because that spice competes with the simple flavors we are going for in these Strawberry Pudding layers!
How long before serving should I assemble this dessert?
For the best texture—especially keeping those cookies from turning to mush—I try to assemble this dessert about 4 hours before we eat it. That gives the pudding enough time to set up firmly, but it doesn’t give the fruit and cookies too much time to dissolve. If you’re making it way ahead, check out that tip I mentioned earlier about adding the whipped topping last!
If you’re curious about how different fruit desserts hold up, I once wrote a whole piece on what makes a traditional banana split work so well—it’s all about timing those textures!
Nutritional Estimates for Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
I always get asked about the numbers for this dessert, and while I provide them for every recipe, remember that these figures are just estimates! Since we are dealing with fresh fruit and options like sugar-free vs. regular pudding or topping, the exact calorie and nutrient counts can really swing. For the most accurate read on your specific batch of the Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert, you should always rely on the labels of the products you purchased. You can read more about how I calculate my averages on my recipe disclaimer page!
Share Your Experience with This Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
Now it’s your turn! Did you whip up this dreamy Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert for your family? Please let me know how it went—leave your rating and tell me about your favorite layers in the comments below. Snap a picture and tag us when you share on social media! If you need to reach out with questions, you can always contact me directly. Happy layering!
Strawberry Banana Cream Dessert
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl or trifle dish
Ingredients
For the Cream Layer
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix (regular or sugar free)
- 1/2 cup Whipped topping (Tru Whip or Cool Whip, regular or sugar free)
For the Layers
- 16 oz strawberries sliced
- 4 bananas sliced
- 1/4 cup vanilla wafer cookies crushed
Optional Topping
- As desired extra whipped topping or cookies
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, mix milk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla pudding mix until you combine them thoroughly. Let this mixture set for 5 minutes or follow the time listed on the pudding package instructions.
- Next, mix the whipped topping into the pudding mix until it is combined.
- In a large bowl or trifle dish, layer the vanilla pudding, sliced strawberries, and sliced bananas. Repeat these layers until the bowl is full. Top the dessert with crushed vanilla wafer cookies and add more whipped topping if you want.