Banana Pudding Tiramisu

For another homemade treat, see The Best Pineapple Pound Cake Recipe.

It captures all the charm of classic banana pudding while embracing tiramisu-inspired layers. I stack whipped cream, a rich pudding cream base, and ladyfingers drenched in a homemade rum syrup. After chilling, it’s ready to enjoy.

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How to Prepare Banana Pudding Tiramisu

Step 1: Preparing the Rum Syrup

1. Combining the Components. Place the butter, rum, packed brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon into a small saucepan.
2. Simmering the Mixture. Whisk or stir continuously until it reaches a gentle simmer.
3. Chilling the Syrup. Take the pan off the stove and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the Whipped Cream

1. Pouring in the Cream. Pour the heavy cream into your stand mixer bowl.
2. Whipping the Cream. Whip on high until soft peaks form, then mix in the powdered sugar.
3. Creating Firm Peaks. Keep whipping until the mixture holds stiff peaks.
4. Chilling the Cream. Transfer the whipped cream to a separate container, cover it, and refrigerate.

Step 3: Preparing the Filling

1. Mixing the Cream Cheese. Place the cream cheese in the bowl and whip on high until smooth and airy.
2. Incorporating the Liquids & Pudding. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk, regular milk, banana pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract.
3. Blending the Filling. Mix until fully combined. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

PRO TIP: The filling should remain pourable rather than overly dense. Aim for a “spreadable” texture. If it appears too firm, gradually stir in additional cold milk, beginning with ¼ cup.

For safe storage and reheating, follow the USDA leftovers and food-safety guidance.

1. Folding in the Cream. Take the chilled whipped cream out and gently fold half of it into the banana pudding base.

Step 4: Layering the Tiramisu

1. Placing the Ladyfingers: Line the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with a complete row of ladyfingers.
2. Drizzling the Syrup: Pour one-quarter of the warm rum syrup over the cookies to moisten them.
3. Adding the Fruit: Lay slices from 2 bananas across the soaked cookies.
4. More Syrup: Drizzle another quarter of the syrup over the banana slices.
5. Spreading the Filling: Smooth half of the banana pudding mixture over the fruit layer.
6. Repeating the Layers: Build a second tier by repeating the process with the remaining ladyfingers, bananas, syrup, and pudding filling.

Step 5: Adding the Final Layers

1. Topping with Cream: Spread the remaining whipped cream evenly across the top of the dessert.
2. Finishing Touches: Sprinkle crumbled vanilla wafers over the whipped cream.

Banana Pudding Tiramisu Recipe

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
• 16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature (2 bricks))
• 2 cups milk (cold, plus 2-4 ounces as needed)
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
• 5 ounces instant banana pudding (1 large box)
• 5 ounces vanilla instant pudding (1 large box)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

For the Rum Sauce

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup rum (or coffee)
• ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Assembly

• 5 large bananas (in ½ inch slices)
• 17.5 ounce ladyfingers (1 package)
• 12 vanilla wafers (crumbled)

Instructions

For the Rum Sauce

• In a medium sized pan, add butter, rum, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix with a whisk or spoon. Bring to a slight boil then turn off the heat.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool for 20 minutes.

For the Filling

• In the bowl of a mixer, beat heavy cream on high speed until soft peaks develop. Add in confectioners sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks develop. Remove whipped cream from the bowl and place in a separate bowl. Then put the mixture in the refrigerator.
• Clean bowl then add cream cheese and beat on high until nice and fluffy.
• Slowly add in sweetened condensed milk, milk, banana pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract. Beat until well incorporated. Stop in between mixing ingredients to use a spatula to mix in the food on the sides of the bowl. The pudding at this point should not be too thick. It should be “spreadable”. If it seems too thick add in more cold milk, starting at 2 ounces (¼ cup).
• Remove whipped cream from the refrigerator and slowly fold half of whipped cream into the banana pudding.

To Assemble the Tiramisu

• Arrange a full row of ladyfingers on the bottom of a 9×13 sized baking pan. Pour 1/4 of warm rum sauce over ladyfingers to soak them.
• Next add slices of 2 bananas over the ladyfingers and pour another 1/4 of warm rum sauce over bananas.
• Take half of the banana pudding cheese mixture and smooth over the top of the sliced bananas. Again, the banana pudding mixture should be “spreadable” and not too thick. See notes above for thinning the mixture if needed.
• Next create another layer by repeating all steps starting with adding another row of ladyfingers, pouring rum sauce on ladyfingers, adding sliced bananas, pouring remaining rum sauce and finally add the rest of the banana pudding mixture.
• Lastly, take the remaining half of whipped cream and spread it over the top of the tiramisu.
• Finish the top of the tiramisu with crumbled wafers over whipped cream.
• Place the baking pan in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours before serving.

Video

Notes

How to Store

How long will banana tiramisu last in the fridge?

Can I freeze banana pudding tiramisu?

Nutrition

Recipe Tips

• Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling.
• Keep the heavy cream and milk cold for best whipping results.
• Don’t skip the chilling time; it allows the flavors to meld and the layers to set.
• For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the rum with strong brewed coffee.
• Assemble the dessert just before serving or chill it covered in the fridge.

Recipe Help

Nope, the standard variety works just as well for this treat.

It’s true that rum brings a lovely depth, but you can easily swap it out if preferred.

Absolutely! Though I suggest using a premium extract to maintain that rich flavor.

Favorite Banana Pudding Recipes

• Classic Southern Banana Pudding
• Banana Pudding Pie
• Banana Pudding Trifle
• Banana Pudding Bars
• Banana Pudding Cheesecake
• Banana Pudding Ice Cream