Southern Banana Pudding Cheesecake Dump Cake (Print Page)
Luscious layers of banana pudding, cheesecake, and buttery cake create this easy Southern dessert perfect for gatherings.
# 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 (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
03 - Arrange sliced bananas evenly over the cheesecake layer.
04 - In another bowl, whisk together banana pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Pour over the banana layer and gently spread.
05 - Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers evenly over the pudding.
06 - Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top. Do not mix.
07 - Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much as possible.
08 - Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is mostly set. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
09 - Meanwhile, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
10 - Serve the dump cake warm or chilled, topped with whipped cream, banana slices, and extra wafers if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy layers meld into something that tastes like nostalgia but better
- It looks impressive but requires almost no actual skill
02 -
- The center will still be jiggly when you take it out but it firms up as it cools
- Serve warm for a gooier texture or chilled for a more structured slice
03 -
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the cake mix for warmth
- Use whole milk in the pudding if you want it richer