Sweet Banana Layered Dessert Recipe: A Dreamy Treat

Dessert lovers swoon over this mouthwatering banana delight layered dessert that turns simple ingredients into a decadent treat.

Sweet, creamy layers mingle with crunchy textures in every delightful bite.

Bananas take center stage, dancing through rich pudding and crumbly graham cracker crusts.

Each spoonful promises a symphony of flavors that delights the senses.

The recipe combines classic comfort with elegant presentation, making it perfect for casual gatherings or special occasions.

Smooth, velvety pudding nestles between golden cookie layers, creating a dessert that’s both nostalgic and irresistible.

One taste, and you’ll understand why this banana delight is a true crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Instructions for Banana Dessert That Wows

Banana Delight Layered Dessert

• Crust Foundation

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and blend with melted butter until perfectly combined. Press mixture firmly into a rectangular baking dish, creating a smooth, even base.

• Creamy Comfort Layer

Whip cream cheese with softened butter until silky and light. Fold in powdered sugar gently, creating a luxurious spreadable mixture. Carefully spread this delectable layer over the graham cracker foundation.

• Fruity Layers

Slice ripe bananas into delicate rounds. Arrange banana slices gracefully across the cream cheese landscape. Drain crushed pineapple and distribute evenly over banana surface.

• Dreamy Topping

Cover the fruit layers with fluffy whipped cream. Scatter chopped pecans across the creamy canvas. Garnish with bright maraschino cherries for a pop of color and sweetness.

• Chill and Enjoy

Refrigerate the dessert for several hours until completely set. Slice into generous portions and serve chilled. Each bite promises a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.

Custom Twists on Banana Layered Goodness

• Banana Delight Layered Dessert
• Banana Brilliance: Select ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor. The more brown spots, the sweeter and more caramelized the taste will be in your dessert.
• Nutty Alternatives: Replace pecans with toasted almonds, walnuts, or coconut flakes for a different crunch and texture. Each nut brings a unique flavor profile that can transform the dessert's overall taste experience.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Swap cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or coconut-based cream cheese. Use non-dairy whipped topping to create a lactose-free version that's equally delicious and creamy.
• Flavor Fusion: Experiment with additional layers like chocolate pudding, caramel drizzle, or a sprinkle of cinnamon between layers. These small tweaks can elevate the dessert from classic to extraordinary, offering a personalized touch to the traditional recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert a day in advance to allow flavors to meld together. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate, which helps intensify the creamy texture and blends the banana and pineapple flavors beautifully.

How to Serve Banana Beautifully

• Tropical Vacation Plating: Serve this dessert on a beautiful large platter with extra maraschino cherries scattered around the edges for a vibrant, festive presentation that screams summer celebration.
• Chilled Delight Approach: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2 hours before serving to allow layers to set perfectly and enhance the creamy, cool texture that makes each bite refreshing.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle additional toasted pecans just before serving to add a delightful crunch and enhance the nutty flavor profile, giving guests an extra textural surprise with every slice.
• Individual Portion Magic: Use clear dessert glasses to create elegant personal servings, layering ingredients carefully to showcase the beautiful banana, cream cheese, and pineapple colors for a stunning visual experience.

Keep Banana Layers from Getting Mushy

• Smart Storing Strategy: Wrap the dessert tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness. Keep refrigerated and enjoy within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freezing Friendly: This delightful dessert can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Wrap securely in freezer-safe containers, protecting the delicate whipped cream layer from freezer burn.
• Temperature Tips: Always serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Remove from cold storage about 10 minutes before serving to allow slight softening and enhance flavor release.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert a day in advance to let flavors meld together. The overnight resting period allows each layer to blend harmoniously, creating an even more delicious treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 246 kcal

Servings: 13

Banana Layered Dessert: Full Ingredient List

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crispy, sweet foundation that adds delightful texture and complements the creamy layers.
• Butter: Helps bind the crumbs together and creates a rich, golden base with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, smooth base that adds luxurious richness and creates a silky texture.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer and helps achieve a light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

• Bananas: Brings natural sweetness and soft, creamy texture to the dessert, creating a classic tropical feel.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds bright, tangy flavor and moisture to complement the other layers.
• Cool Whip: Creates a light, fluffy topping that adds a cloud-like texture and smooth finish.
• Pecans: Provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts with the creamy layers.
• Maraschino Cherries: Offers a pop of color and sweet, vibrant touch to complete the dessert presentation.

Tools to Layer Up Your Banana

• 9×13: Essential for layering and baking the dessert.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for blending cream cheese mixture until light and fluffy.
• Fork: Perfect for mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing bananas neatly.
• Knife: Used for chopping pecans and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Important for accurate ingredient proportions.

Luscious Banana Layered Dessert Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent banana delight layered dessert combines creamy textures with rich caramel notes from Mexico. Delicate flavors and simple ingredients create a memorable sweet experience you will savor completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 bananas
• 2 cups (475 ml) graham cracker crumbs
• 1 (20 oz / 567 g) can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 1 (10 oz / 284 g) jar maraschino cherries, drained & patted dry
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 (8 oz / 227 g) container of Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)
• ⅓ cup (40 g) chopped pecans
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Blend graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until mixture resembles coarse, moist sand, then firmly compress into a uniform base within a 9×13″ pan.
2. Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese, remaining butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt using an electric mixer until achieving a light, silky consistency, then carefully spread across the graham cracker foundation.
3. Fruit Layering: Arrange sliced bananas in a systematic pattern over the cream cheese surface, followed by evenly distributing thoroughly drained crushed pineapple to create a vibrant, textural foundation.
4. Topping Application: Delicately spread Cool Whip across the fruit layer, creating a smooth, billowy surface, then generously scatter chopped pecans for additional crunch and depth.
5. Finishing Touches: Strategically place maraschino cherries atop the dessert for visual intrigue and complementary sweetness, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow flavors to harmonize and set.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, lump-free mixing that blends effortlessly with other ingredients.
• Banana Brilliance: Select perfectly ripe bananas with golden-brown speckles for maximum sweetness and ideal texture in the dessert.
• Moisture Management: Drain pineapple completely using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to prevent excess liquid from making the dessert soggy.
• Chill for Perfection: Allow minimum 4 hours of refrigeration for deeper flavor integration and firmer, more cohesive layered texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 189 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg