Southern Banana Pudding Cheesecake Dump Cake (Printable)
Creamy banana pudding meets rich cheesecake and buttery cake in this irresistible Southern dessert perfect for any gathering.
# What You Need:
→ Cheesecake Layer
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Banana Pudding Layer
05 - 2 large ripe bananas, sliced
06 - 1 (3.4 oz) package instant banana pudding mix
07 - 2 cups cold milk
→ Dump Cake Layer
08 - 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafer cookies, coarsely crushed
09 - 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Topping
11 - 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
12 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
14 - Extra banana slices and vanilla wafers for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - Beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and creamy. Spread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
03 - Arrange sliced bananas evenly over the cheesecake layer in a single layer.
04 - Whisk together banana pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Pour over the banana layer and spread gently to cover.
05 - Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers evenly over the pudding layer.
06 - Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top without mixing.
07 - Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much surface area as possible.
08 - Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is mostly set. Cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
09 - While cake cools, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
10 - Serve warm or chilled, topped with whipped cream. Garnish with additional banana slices and vanilla wafers if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It combines three beloved desserts into one incredibly easy dish that looks impressive but takes minimal effort
- The warm buttery cake topping contrasts perfectly with the creamy cool layers underneath
02 -
- The center will seem jiggly when you take it out but it continues cooking and setting up as it cools, so trust the process and don't overbake
- Letting it cool for at least 30 minutes is crucial because the layers need time to settle and the pudding needs to firm up slightly
03 -
- Use a box grater to cold butter directly over the cake mix instead of melting it for an even better crumb topping texture
- Place your baking dish on a sheet pan in the oven to catch any potential butter drips and keep your oven clean