Description
Caramel-Swirled Banana Delight Cups are a dreamy no-bake dessert featuring creamy vanilla pudding and whipped cream, layered with slices of sweet bananas, crunchy vanilla wafers, and rich caramel. Each cup delivers a medley of smooth, crunchy, and fruity textures that come together for a crowd-pleasing treat—perfect for parties, gatherings, or a simple weekend indulgence. This easy-to-assemble dessert is chilled before serving, giving all the delicious layers time to meld and create that classic banana pudding nostalgia, elevated by caramel swirls.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Layer
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
Whipped Cream Layer
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Assembly
- 2–3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 package vanilla wafers
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade), plus more for drizzling
- Crushed vanilla wafers, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Vanilla Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk the cold milk with the instant vanilla pudding mix until the mixture is smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 5 minutes to allow it to set.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This creates a light and airy texture for your dessert.
- Combine Pudding and Whipped Cream: Gently fold the chilled pudding into the whipped cream mixture. Stir until fully combined and fluffy, creating a luxurious pudding layer.
- Prepare the Bananas: Slice the bananas just before assembling to minimize browning and keep them fresh.
- Layer the Dessert: In individual serving cups, place 2–3 vanilla wafers at the bottom and drizzle with a bit of caramel sauce. Add banana slices over the wafers, then spoon in a layer of the creamy pudding mixture, filling about one-third of the cup.
- Repeat the Layers: Add another layer of vanilla wafers, caramel, banana slices, and more pudding. Repeat once more if space allows, ending with a final layer of pudding on top.
- Finish and Chill: Top each cup with crushed vanilla wafers and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Cover and refrigerate the cups for at least 2 hours to allow the wafers to soften and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once chilled, serve cold and enjoy the creamy, caramel-swirled banana goodness!
Notes
- Use ripe but firm bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Prepare just before serving for a fresher look, or tightly cover and chill up to 6 hours in advance.
- Swap in chocolate or peanut butter chips as an extra topping for a fun twist.
- Homemade caramel sauce adds depth, but store-bought works just as well.
- Gluten-free vanilla wafers can be substituted if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 individual cup (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg