Banana Pudding Brownies

These banana pudding brownies are a fun mashup of chewy, buttery blondie-style brownies and creamy banana pudding cheesecake topping. You get a thick cookie-like base, a smooth vanilla-banana layer, and crunchy vanilla wafers baked right on top. They’re sweet, nostalgic, and perfect for parties, potlucks, or bake sales. Since the filling is creamy, they slice best after fully cooling. If you love banana pudding, these taste like the dessert in brownie-bar form.

Ingredients

• 24 vanilla wafers
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 box vanilla pudding mix
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 tbsp banana extract
• 2 eggs (for filling)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup melted butter
• 2 whole eggs + 1 yolk (for brownies)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch glass casserole pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for lifting.
2. Mix cream cheese and vanilla pudding mix until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Add milk and 2 eggs to the filling and mix until combined, then stir in banana extract.
4. For the brownie base, mix brown sugar, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, 2 whole eggs, and 1 yolk until smooth.
5. Add flour, salt, and baking powder to the brownie mixture and mix to form a thick dough.
6. Spread the brownie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Pour the filling over the dough and spread into an even layer.
8. Arrange 24 vanilla wafers on top in a 4 × 6 pattern.
9. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
10. Cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 60 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 24

Tips

For clean layers, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing so the filling turns silky with no lumps.

Let the pan cool completely (and chill if you have time) before slicing—these set up as they cool and cut much neater.

FAQ

Do these taste like chocolate brownies?
No—this is more like a rich blondie base with a banana pudding-style topping.

Can I use banana pudding mix instead of vanilla?
Yes, if you can find it—use it in place of vanilla pudding mix and you can reduce the banana extract slightly if you want.

How do I store them?
Because of the cream cheese layer, store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze Banana Pudding Brownies?
Yes—freeze sliced bars in a single layer, then transfer to a sealed container; thaw in the fridge before serving.