Description

An indulgent, spoon-soft dessert that combines a yellow cake base with a rich banana pudding filling and a crunchy vanilla wafer topping. This make-ahead friendly cake is incredibly moist and easy to prepare using pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
2 small boxes (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 small boxes (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix (for filling)
4 cups (960ml) cold whole milk
1 small box (3.4 oz) vanilla pudding mix (optional, for extra flavor)
2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
1 package (14 oz) vanilla wafers, crushed
4 tablespoons (55g) butter, melted
Extra vanilla wafers for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine yellow cake mix, 2 boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix, mashed bananas, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
While the cake is still hot, poke holes all over the surface with a fork, spacing them about an inch apart and poking to the bottom.
In a large bowl, whisk 2 boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the thickened pudding mixture.
Pour the pudding mixture over the hot cake, spreading it evenly to fill the holes.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Before serving, toss crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter and sprinkle over the chilled cake.
Garnish with whole vanilla wafers and serve cold.

Notes

Use cold milk to help the instant pudding thicken faster. Do not overmix the whipped cream to maintain a light texture. This cake improves overnight as flavors meld. Do not freeze as the texture may become grainy. Serve cold.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 450
Sugar: 45
Sodium: 350
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 65
Fiber: 1
Protein: 6

Keywords: banana pudding, poke cake, banana dessert, easy baking, make ahead dessert, vanilla wafers, moist cake