Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe
If you’re looking to dazzle friends and family with a dish that’s pure comfort and fun, this Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe absolutely delivers! Imagine the creamy goodness of banana pudding, transformed into a scoopable, shareable cheese ball—perfect for parties, celebrations, or just a movie night at home. With its luscious cream cheese base, bursts of sweet banana flavor, and crunchy vanilla wafer coating, every bite is a trip down memory lane. This delightful treat blends nostalgia, joy, and just the right touch of whimsy, making it an irresistible new classic for your dessert table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to maximize both flavor and nostalgia. They come together easily (no oven required!), promising you creamy, dreamy results every time.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): The foundation of our cheese ball, lending a smooth, tangy base that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds richness and helps achieve that irresistibly creamy texture.
- Mashed Ripe Banana (1/2 cup, about 1 medium banana): For authentic banana flavor and natural sweetness—make sure it’s ripe for the best taste!
- Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix (3.4 oz, dry): Brings the unmistakable banana pudding vibe, along with a touch of vanilla and a silky consistency.
- Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens everything just right without grittiness—there’s no substitute here!
- Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp): Enhances the banana and ties all the flavors together.
- Crushed Vanilla Wafer Cookies (1/2 cup, plus more for coating): Adds crunch and that classic pudding nostalgia—save some extra for the outside!
- Whole Vanilla Wafers or Graham Crackers (for serving): The perfect dippers to scoop up every creamy, banana-filled bite.
How to Make Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe
Step 1: Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter
Grab a large mixing bowl and a good hand mixer (or a stand mixer, if you’re feeling fancy!). Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until the mixture turns light, smooth, and fluffy. Don’t rush this part—the creamier the base, the dreamier your cheese ball will be.
Step 2: Add Banana, Pudding Mix, Sugar, and Vanilla
Next, add your mashed banana, the dry banana cream pudding mix, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. Give everything another whirl with the mixer, scraping down the sides as needed. The results? A luscious, pudding-scented mixture that’ll be hard not to sneak a taste of!
Step 3: Fold in Crushed Vanilla Wafers
Switch to a spatula and gently fold in your crushed vanilla wafer cookies. These add the nostalgic crunch and flavor we all crave in banana pudding, giving the cheese ball a subtle, delightful bite in every scoop.
Step 4: Chill Until Firm
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until the mixture firms up enough to easily shape. This quick chill not only sets the cheese ball, it lets all those flavors mingle to perfection.
Step 5: Shape and Coat the Cheese Ball
Once chilled, scoop the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and use your hands (or the wrap) to shape it into a ball. Pour some extra crushed vanilla wafers onto a plate, then gently roll and pat them onto the surface of the cheese ball until it’s completely coated in golden, cookie goodness.
Step 6: Chill Again (Optional) and Serve
For the best texture, wrap your finished Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe tightly in plastic and chill until you’re ready to serve. When your guests arrive, plate it up with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or even fresh fruit—then watch it disappear!
How to Serve Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra crushed vanilla wafers or even a dusting of powdered sugar over the top for a picture-perfect finish. For special occasions, dot the top with a few banana slices or edible flowers just before serving—your Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe will look as fabulous as it tastes!
Side Dishes
This cheery dessert cheese ball pairs beautifully with a platter of fresh fruit—think strawberries, apple slices, or grapes. It also shines alongside other mini desserts and snacks at a party spread, making it a delightful conversation starter with every dip.
Creative Ways to Present
Try shaping your Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe into a log for a unique twist, or nestle it in a bowl surrounded by crunchy dippers for a crowd-pleasing centerpiece. Individual mini cheese balls on a platter make for adorable, grab-and-go servings and are perfect for showers and potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (it doesn’t happen often!), simply wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh, creamy, and delicious for up to three days; just be mindful that the banana and cookie coating may soften a bit over time.
Freezing
Surprisingly, you can freeze this Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe! Wrap it well in plastic, then again in foil, and pop it into a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and roll in fresh crushed wafers before serving for best texture.
Reheating
This dish is meant to be enjoyed chilled, so no reheating is needed! If your cheese ball is extra cold and a bit firm after chilling, just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to bring back its creamy, dippable texture.
FAQs
Can I make Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, letting the flavors meld overnight in the fridge makes it even yummier. Just wait to roll in the crushed wafers until right before serving so the coating stays fresh and crisp.
What else can I use for dipping besides wafers and graham crackers?
Fruit slices like apples and strawberries make fantastic healthy dippers, and pretzel sticks add a lovely salty-sweet element. Try shortbread cookies or even mini rice cakes for plenty of dipping fun.
How can I make the cheese ball nuttier or chocolatey?
For extra texture and flavor, fold in mini white chocolate chips, toffee bits, or chopped pecans during Step 3. You can also try a drizzle of melted chocolate right before serving for some extra indulgence!
Are there any swaps for banana pudding mix if I can’t find it?
If banana cream pudding mix is unavailable, use vanilla instant pudding and add an extra 1/4 cup mashed banana and a touch more vanilla extract. The flavor won’t be identical, but your Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe will still taste wonderful!
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Simply use vegan cream cheese and butter, a plant-based pudding mix, and non-dairy milk in place of any liquids called for (though this recipe uses all dry mix). Double check that your wafers and crackers are dairy-free too.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe—it’s familiar, playful, and guaranteed to be the star of your gathering. If you love a sweet twist on nostalgic flavors, this treat is one you’ll want to add to your repertoire right away. Gather your ingredients and get ready to bring pure joy to your next occasion!
Print
Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this delightful Banana Pudding Dessert Cheese Ball Recipe that combines creamy cheese, ripe banana, and a touch of vanilla, all rolled in vanilla wafer crumbs. Perfect for parties or as a sweet treat!
Ingredients
Cheese Ball:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium banana)
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant banana cream pudding mix (dry)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies, plus more for coating
For Serving:
- Whole vanilla wafers or graham crackers
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the mashed banana, dry pudding mix, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Fold in the crushed vanilla wafer cookies.
- Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or until firm enough to shape.
- Once chilled, form the mixture into a ball and roll it in additional crushed vanilla wafers to coat the outside evenly.
- Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. Serve with whole vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or fruit slices.
Notes
- For extra texture, fold in mini white chocolate chips or chopped pecans.
- This dessert cheese ball can be made a day ahead—just keep refrigerated until serving.
- Serve chilled for best consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of cheese ball
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
