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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Banana Pudding Jars

    Published: Mar 10, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Banana Pudding Jars

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    banana pudding cup with a spoon in it
    collage of top and side views of banana pudding cups in mason jars
    banana pudding cup in a mason jar on a white plate

    Mason Jar Banana Pudding Cups are adorable desserts in individual jars filled with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, and fresh bananas.

    For extra decadence, they're topped with Cool Whip, cookie crumbles, Heath bits, and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

    banana pudding cup in a mason jar on a white plate
    Jump to:
    • More Easy Dessert Recipes
    • Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Banana Pudding Cups in Mason Jars
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs
    • Get the Stuff I Use
    • More Easy Recipes
    • Let's Stay in Touch
    • Banana Pudding Jars

    Banana pudding cups in individual mason jars are a fun twist on everyone's favorite classic dessert -- banana pudding!

    I'm a big a fan of this Easy Banana Pudding recipe in a pretty trifle bowl and No Bake Banana Pudding Pie in a graham cracker crust, but there's just something about these darling banana pudding jars!

    First off, it's just more fun to have your VERY OWN individual dessert.

    Then, there's all those layers of decadent pudding, fresh banana slices, vanilla cookies, Cool Whip, and toppings!

    But this jar recipe is super practical too.

    After you assemble these easy no bake banana puddings in the jars, just screw the lids on, throw them in the fridge, and take them wherever you're going!

    Picnics, parties, holidays -- they're the perfect grab-and-go dessert.

    And they make great gifts!

    More Easy Dessert Recipes

    • Coconut Dream Bars
    • Easy Million Dollar Bars
    • Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust
    • Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake

    Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

    Easy no bake dessert you can make ahead of time for parties and holidays

    Everyone loves getting their very own individual dessert in a cute jar!

    Banana pudding mason jars make great gifts

    Ingredients

    banana pudding jars ingredients

    Cream cheese. Use room temperature cream cheese. It needs to be very soft so it mixes into a smooth consistency without lumps.

    Instant vanilla pudding mix. You can also use French vanilla instant pudding. Be sure to use instant pudding, not cook-and-serve pudding in this recipe. You can also use instant banana pudding if you like it (I find the flavor too artificial), but you'll get plenty of banana flavor without it.

    Cool Whip. Cool Whip works well in this recipe because it won't weep after sitting overnight. If you're not a fan of Cool Whip, I suggest trying Truwhip. Stabilized whipped cream should also work well.

    Sliced bananas. Use fresh ripe bananas that are perfect for eating -- which usually means the peels have brown spots. You'll need 48 slices, 2-3 bananas.

    Toppings, optional. Add crumbled vanilla wafers, Heath bits, and a drizzle of caramel sauce on top, right before serving.

    Small mason jars. You'll need 8 oz. mason jars with lids. You can also use disposable cups with lids.

    How to Make Banana Pudding Cups in Mason Jars

    1. Make the creamy pudding filling.

    In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

    In a separate medium bowl, mix the milk and pudding mix together until smooth.

    Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese a little at a time, beating well after each addition. I add it in 4 installments.

    cream cheese and pudding in a white mixing bowl
    cream cheese pudding mixture in a white mixing bowl

    Fold ½ of the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture.

    banana pudding filling in a white mixing bowl

    2. Assemble the banana pudding cups in mason jars.

    Spoon or pipe about 3 tablespoons of pudding into the bottom of an 8 oz. mason jar or cup.

    The easiest way I've found to neatly spoon it in --especially the bottom layer, which is the trickiest to do without schmutzing up the sides of the jar-- is to fill a small spoon with pudding and carefully lower the spoon down to the bottom of the cup. Then use a second spoon to scrape the pudding off.

    Place two vanilla wafer cookies on top of the pudding.

    Add three banana slices on top of the cookies.

    layer of pudding, vanilla wafers, and bananas in a mason jar

    Repeat with another layer of 3 tablespoons of pudding, 2 vanilla wafers, and 3 slices of banana.

    Top with 3 more tablespoons of pudding. Be careful not to fill beyond the top of the jar so you can add the lids.

    hand holding a mason jar with banana pudding

    3. Cover and chill.

    Screw the lids onto the mason jars and store them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best. The cookies soften (in the best way) into a cakelike texture.

    4. Add toppings and serve.

    Before serving, spoon or pipe the rest of the Cool Whip on top of the puddings.

    piping bag piping Cool Whip into a banana pudding cup

    Add your favorite toppings like crumbled cookies, Heath bits, caramel sauce, toasted coconut, or chocolate shavings.

    caramel drizzling into a banana pudding cup

    Store mason jar banana pudding cups in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    banana pudding cup with a spoon in it

    Expert Tips

    Be sure to use instant pudding. Cook-and-serve pudding won't thicken in this recipe.

    Keep the bananas from turning brown by completely covering them with pudding.

    You can spoon or pipe the pudding mixture and Cool Whip into the mason jars.

    FAQs

    Do you use banana pudding mix to make banana pudding cups?

    No, banana pudding is usually made with vanilla pudding. The layers of sliced ripe bananas give the pudding cups plenty of banana flavor. If you really love instant banana pudding, you can definitely use it!

    Do I need to toss the bananas with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown?

    You can, but it might affect the flavor. Instead, if you make sure to cover the bananas completely with pudding, it will keep the air from getting to them and keep them from turning brown.

    What can I use in place of vanilla wafers in this no bake banana pudding recipe?

    Graham crackers, shortbread cookies, butter cookies, gingersnaps, Golden Oreos, and Nutter Butters would all be delicious in banana pudding jars.

    top view of mason jars filled with banana pudding

    Get the Stuff I Use

    This KitchenAid hand mixer has been with me for a long time. The whisk attachment is perfect for whipping eggs for macaroons and cream for this yummy brown sugar whipped cream.

    These 8 oz. mason jars with lids are the perfect size for these adorable little banana pudding cups.

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    Let's Stay in Touch

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    banana pudding cup in a mason jar on a white plate

    Banana Pudding Jars

    Cara Lanz
    Mason Jar Banana Pudding Cups are adorable desserts in individual jars filled with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, and fresh bananas. Top with Cool Whip, cookie crumbles, Heath bits, and caramel sauce for extra decadence.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 441 kcal

    Equipment

    • 8 8 oz. mason jars with lids

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • 2 3.4 oz. boxes instant vanilla pudding
    • 2 cups cold milk
    • 8 ounces Cool Whip, divided
    • 2-3 sliced bananas you'll need 48 slices
    • 32 vanilla wafers plus more for serving
    • Heath bits and caramel sauce for serving, optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
    • In a separate bowl, mix the pudding mix and milk until smooth.
    • Add the pudding to the cream cheese a little at a time, mixing well after each addition. I add it in 4 installments.
      Fold in ½ of the Cool Whip.
    • Spoon or pipe about 3 tablespoons of pudding into the bottom of an 8 oz. mason jar or cup.
      Place 2 vanilla wafers on top of the pudding. Add 3 banana slices on top of the cookies.
      Repeat with another layer of 3 tablespoons of pudding, 2 vanilla wafers, and 3 banana slices.
      Top with 3 more tablespoons of pudding.
    • Add the lids to the jars and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
    • Before serving, pipe or spoon the rest of the Cool Whip on top.
      Add vanilla wafer crumbles, Heath bits, and a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.
    • Store mason jar banana pudding cups in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Notes

    Be sure to use instant pudding. Cook-and-serve pudding won't thicken in this recipe.
    Keep the bananas from turning brown by completely covering them with pudding.
    You can spoon or pipe the pudding mixture and Cool Whip into the mason jars.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 341mgFiber: 2gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 529IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 0.2mg
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

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