These banana pudding brownies are a delicious dessert that combines the classic flavors of banana pudding with the rich, texture of brownies.
I don't know about you, but I love anything banana. I don't know if it is the Southern girl at heart or what it is, but banana pudding is one of my favorite things in the world. One of the things that I don't love about banana pudding though is that it can be messy. You have to eat it out of a bowl and it isn't very portable.
These banana pudding brownies combine all your favorites of southern-style banana pudding with the perfect brownie making a portable treat that has all the flavors of your favorite dessert. I guarantee you won't be able to have just one!
For some other great dessert recipes, check out this Banana Pudding Lasagna or this three-ingredient banana pudding in a jar!
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What Makes These Banana Pudding Brownies So Great?
- Dairy-Free- These Banana Pudding Brownies are dairy-free and perfect for those with sensitive stomachs.
- Family Friendly- Our whole family loved this and kept asking for more. It was a huge hit in our household and I am sure it will be a huge hit in yours!
- Perfect Shareable Dessert- This is the perfect shareable dessert to bring to any event. It is easy to make and mess-free!
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
- Banana Pudding Mix- Banana pudding mix is the key ingredient in these banana pudding brownies. The banana pudding gives it that classic flavor that we know and love.
- Unsweetened Applesauce-To keep these brownies egg-free, applesauce is used as the binder. However, if you don't want to use applesauce, you can swap it for 2 flax eggs or even 2 regular eggs.
- Vanilla Wafers-Is it even a banana dessert without vanilla wafers? Most vanilla wafers contain egg whites, however, you are able to find egg-free wafers out there. I get mine from Sprouts and we like them better than the Nabisco brand!
A complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Instructions
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add melted butter and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Add in vanilla extract and applesauce.
Step 3: Then, add in flour, baking powder and sea salt. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Transfer the dough to the parchment-lined pan. Press down into an even layer.
Step 5: In a small bowl, combine the almond milk, cream cheese, and banana pudding mixture. Stir until combined.
Step 6: Cover the brownie batter with the banana pudding mixture and top with vanilla wafers. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the middle is set.
Variations
- Chocolate - These brownies are more blondie style but if you want to make chocolate banana pudding brownies, just swap ¾ cup flour with ¾ cup cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter - For a fun twist, try drizzling peanut butter over the warm brownies after they come out of the oven!
- Carmel - Top the warm brownies with a caramel drizzle for extra sweetness!
Storage and Serving Ideas
Store these brownies in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to one month.
We love serving these brownies with some vanilla ice cream or as a dessert alongside a cup of good coffee.
Top tips
- Don't overbake the brownies, they are meant to be gooey and not chewy. The key is to let the gooey brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing.
- You can add up to 2 cups of your favorite add-ins to these banana pudding brownies. I sometimes love adding white chocolate chips or toffee chips to the batter to give it a richer taste.
- Melting the butter for this recipe gives the blondies a buttery taste and a soft, chewy texture. I much prefer melting the butter to creaming my butter and sugar when making blondies and cookies for this very reason
Recipe FAQ's
A brownie contains cocoa powder, whereas a blondie does not. Blondies have a more caramel like flavor. Otherwise, they are relatively similar.
The Industrial Wafer Revolution. A lot of people have attributed the popularity of banana pudding to the marketing efforts of Nabisco, which today makes the popular "Nilla" brand of vanilla wafers and has long promoted their use in banana pudding.
Yes! If you use the cook and serve Jello brand of banana pudding mix, it is vegan!
Other Great Banana Recipes to Try!
Banana Pudding Brownies
Equipment
- 1 8 inch square pan
- 2 Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- ½ cup Vegan Butter melted
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ⅓ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 8 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese
- ½ cup Almond Milk
- 3 ounces Cook and Serve Banana Pudding
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, add melted butter and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Add in vanilla extract and applesauce.
- Add in flour, baking powder and sea salt. Stir to combine.
- Transfer this dough into the parchment lined pan. Press down into an even layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the almond milk, cream cheese, and banana pudding mixture. Stir until combined.
- Cover the brownie batter with the banana pudding mixture and top with vanilla wafers. Bake for 20 minutes or until the middle is set.
Notes
- Don't overbake the brownies, they are meant to be gooey and not chewy. The key is to let the gooey brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing.
- You can add up to 2 cups of your favorite add-ins to these banana pudding brownies. I sometimes love adding white chocolate chips or toffee chips to the batter to give it a richer taste.
- Melting the butter for this recipe gives the blondies a buttery taste and a soft, chewy texture. I much prefer melting the butter to creaming my butter and sugar when making blondies and cookies for this very reason
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Brigid Ryan says
I'm allergic to almonds, can I use something other than almond milk?
kaydimaggio says
Hi Brigid, you can use any type of milk you enjoy. I normally use almond milk to keep it plant based.
Robyn says
I think this would have turned out better in a bigger pan for me. An 8x8 took about double the baking time to get cooked in the center and the edges ended up being overcooked. The flavor seemed lovely, according to my family, and the cream cheese mixed with pudding and milk was a great way to get that creamy banana flavor.
I'll try this again with a 9x13!