Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite homemade treat! This Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe brings together all the comfort of classic southern banana pudding and the irresistible magic of soft, bakery-style cookies. Every bite bursts with real banana flavor, a hint of vanilla, and the delightful crunch of vanilla wafer topping — making it a nostalgic dessert that’s perfect to share (or keep to yourself). Whether you’re a lifelong banana pudding fan or just craving something uniquely delicious, you’ll soon understand why these cookies are a must-bake for every dessert lover!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something wonderful about how a handful of pantry staples can transform into a crowd-pleasing treat. This Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe is all about carefully chosen ingredients — each one plays a special role in creating soft, flavorful, old-fashioned cookies that taste just like banana pudding in cookie form!
- Ripe bananas: Provide natural sweetness and signature banana flavor, plus they keep these cookies moist.
- All-purpose flour: This trusty baking essential gives your cookies their structure and soft crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
- Salt: Just the right amount balances all the sweet flavors and brings out the banana’s best notes.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create those perfectly golden edges.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter delivers rich, buttery flavor and a tender crumb.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and gives the cookies structure.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances the pudding-like aroma.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Makes these cookies extra-soft and infuses every bite with creamy, nostalgic vanilla flavor.
- Crushed vanilla wafers: Classic banana pudding crunch! These go right on top for texture and visual appeal.
- Optional walnuts or chocolate chips: If you’re craving a little crunch or chocolatey decadence, fold these in for extra fun.
How to Make Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first: set the stage for cookie magic! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan with perfect golden bottoms every time — plus, cleanup couldn’t be easier.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
Grab your ripest bananas and mash them until smooth in a medium bowl. The riper, the better — those brown spots mean extra sweetness and flavor, making your Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe truly shine.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy — about 2 to 3 minutes. This step incorporates air, giving your cookies a lovely soft and tender bite. Don’t rush it!
Step 4: Add Egg, Vanilla, Banana, and Pudding Mix
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, then stir in the mashed bananas and instant vanilla pudding mix. The pudding mix is the secret weapon here, delivering amazing softness and a nostalgic vanilla flavor that perfectly echoes the classic dessert.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms — overmixing can toughen your cookies, so go gently! If you’re feeling adventurous, add walnuts or chocolate chips now for a fun twist.
Step 6: Shape and Top the Cookies
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each for spreading. Gently press a pinch of crushed vanilla wafers on top of each scoop. This adds crunch and a classic banana pudding touch that everyone will notice.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for those golden-brown edges — that’s your cue. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This patience pays off for the perfect tender cookie!
How to Serve Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Turn your Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe into a showstopper by serving with a swirl of whipped cream or a handful of freshly sliced bananas on the side. If you’re feeling playful, a light dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of melted chocolate amps up the dessert factor — and looks gorgeous, too.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic sundae feel, or plate them alongside fresh fruit for a lighter, refreshing finish. They’re also incredible with a cup of hot coffee or cold milk for the ultimate comfort snack.
Creative Ways to Present
These cookies are a fun surprise at potlucks and parties when arranged on a platter with extra vanilla wafers and banana slices. Try stacking them in cello bags tied with ribbon for homemade edible gifts, or crumble a couple over a bowl of banana pudding for a cookie-crunch twist on the classic dessert!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe fresh by storing cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay wonderfully soft, and the flavors actually deepen a day or two after baking, making them even more irresistible.
Freezing
Want to savor your success a bit longer? These cookies freeze beautifully. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to two months. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking.
Reheating
If you love a warm cookie, simply pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds from room temperature or 20 seconds from frozen. This brings back that just-baked softness and magically releases all those comforting banana aromas!
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for the Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Thawed frozen bananas work beautifully in this recipe. Just drain off any excess liquid before mashing so your dough doesn’t get too wet, and you’ll still achieve delicious, flavorful cookies.
What does instant pudding mix do in these cookies?
The instant vanilla pudding mix adds both a subtle vanilla flavor and helps keep the cookies super soft and chewy. It’s a little baking secret that transforms the texture, giving the cookies that true banana pudding essence.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Definitely! While walnuts or chocolate chips are classic, you can also add white chocolate chips, toffee bits, or even a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor. Each mix-in brings its own tasty twist to the original Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should look golden brown, while the centers may appear slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, ensuring the perfect texture. Keep an eye on them after the 10-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough and refrigerate it tightly covered for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilled dough spreads a bit less and can even heighten the flavors for an extra-decadent cookie.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to dive into a batch of these banana pudding cookies and experience exactly why this Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe is such a standout. Every soft, sweet, nostalgic bite is pure homemade joy — try it out, share with friends and family, and watch this dessert disappear!