Dreamy no-bake banana cream pie icebox cake layered with graham crackers, silky banana cream pudding mixture, and banana slices will be the star of your next summer potluck or party!
Why this recipe works
Banana cream pie icebox cake is similar to a luscious banana cream pie with layers of graham crackers that soak up the surrounding ingredients leaving you with a pillowy, cookie-like flavor and soft texture that pairs extremely well with smooth banana pudding and whipped topping.
The banana pudding layer is a mixture of cream cheese, milk, instant banana cream pudding, and Cool Whip which is layered with fresh banana slices and graham crackers. Icebox cakes are some of the easiest desserts for summer potlucks and parties, and this banana cream pie icebox cake is no exception.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
PUDDING – If you can’t seem to find instant banana cream pudding, you can substitute it with vanilla.
GRAHAM CRACKERS – Graham crackers are our go-to for icebox cakes. They soak up the pudding layer leaving you with soft, supple layers that melt in your mouth. If you are not in the states and are looking for a substitute for graham crackers, you can try digestive biscuits or Nilla wafers.
WHIPPED CREAM – We are using Cool Whip for its readiness, but if you prefer to make it homemade you can use our stabilized whipped cream recipe. I would not recommend using regular homemade whipped cream as it is not stabilized and will not hold up well.
How to Make Banana Cream Pie Icebox Cake
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Beat cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Pour in milk, while whisking or beating on low speed.
- Add pudding mix and vanilla extract and whisk until mixture thickens.
- Fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- Spread a spoonful of the pudding mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Place a single layer of graham crackers to cover the dish.
- Spread about 1/3 of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers.
- Top pudding layer with a layer of freshly sliced bananas.
- Continue layering graham crackers, pudding, and banana slices to make three layers total.
- Top the final banana layer with the remaining Cool Whip.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to set up.
- Garnish with graham cracker crumbs, a whipped cream swirl, and/or fresh banana slices.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
This is one icebox cake that we don’t recommend freezing. If you omit the banana slices in the layers you can freeze this dessert, but otherwise, the banana will not thaw well. I would only recommend omitting the banana slices if you are using banana cream instant pudding.
Store this icebox cake tightly covered with plastic wrap or with an air-tight lid kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve banana cream icebox cake chilled with a garnish of crushed graham cracker crumbs, piped whipped cream, and a banana slice. Add your piped whipped cream and banana slices just before serving so the banana doesn’t brown.
More Icebox Cake Recipes
- Oreo Icebox Cake
- S’mores Icebox Cake
- Lemon Icebox Cake
- Mixed Berry Icebox Cake
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Chocolate Icebox Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake
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Banana Cream Pie Icebox Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 5.1 ounce instant banana cream pudding mix 1 box
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 16 ounce Cool Whip thawed, plus more if you wish to pipe a swirl on top for decorating
- 14.4 ounce graham crackers 1 box or 3 sleeves
- 4 large ripe bananas
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Do not add whipped cream swirl or banana slice on top until just before serving or the bananas will turn brown. You can rub a little lemon juice on banana slices to maintain their color, but this will change the flavor a bit.
- You will have a couple spare graham crackers after assembling the icebox cake. These can be crushed by placing them in a plastic baggy and rolling over them with a rolling pin.
- *Whipped cream or Cool Whip for the swirled garnish is not included in the recipe quantities.*
- Store, covered with plastic wrap or an air-tight lid, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The bananas will not thaw well if frozen, so this is not a good one to store in the freezer.
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Pour in milk, while whisking or beating on low speed.
- Add pudding mix and vanilla extract and whisk until mixture thickens.
- Fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- Spread a spoonful of the pudding mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Place a single layer of graham crackers to cover the dish.
- Spread about 1/3 of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers.
- Top pudding layer with a layer of freshly sliced bananas.
- Continue layering graham crackers, pudding, and banana slices to make three layers total.
- Top the final banana layer with the remaining Cool Whip.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to set up.
- Garnish with graham cracker crumbs, a whipped cream swirl, and/or fresh banana slices.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Melea L. says
Delish and beautiful! As a new person to making sweet treats, this was easy and fun to do! My family loved it, and we kept going back for more! :)
Anna. Marie says
My family LOVE this! Simple to make,and presentation is beautiful!
Linda says
It was so good. It was easy to make and everyone loved it!
Tracy says
Unfortunately the “cook n’ Serve” banana cream pudding mix is all that is available in my area. Do I just need to cook the pudding and let it cool to sub it in this recipe?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, be sure it’s cooled. And I haven’t made it with cook n serve, so I am not sure how much milk you should use. We use less milk than the box of instant pudding calls for so that it will be thick enough.
Lorri M says
I haven’t cooked in years, hubby or neighbors fed me ;-) but I saw this picture & thought I’m making this, & I’m very happy when I read comments, Easy & Delish !!! oh yeah im doing this & share with neighbors so they know I can cook Ty