The Perfect Banana Pudding with Peanut Butter Cookie Crumbs Recipe

Banana pudding with peanut butter cookie crumbs revolutionizes ordinary dessert into an irresistible indulgence that dances between creamy and crunchy textures.

Rich banana flavors merge seamlessly with nutty undertones, creating a harmonious blend that tickles your taste buds.

Soft, luxurious pudding provides a silky foundation for crisp, crumbly cookie pieces that add unexpected depth and character.

Each spoonful promises a delightful contrast of smooth and rough elements that complement each other perfectly.

Homemade touches elevate this classic treat from simple to spectacular, demonstrating how a few quality ingredients can become something magical.

peanut butter robust essence weaves through delicate banana notes, promising a dessert that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that celebrates pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

What Pairings to Complement the Pudding

• Pair with Creamy Caramel Latte: The rich banana and peanut butter flavors blend perfectly with a warm, smooth caramel latte. The coffee's deep notes complement the dessert's sweetness while cutting through its creamy texture.
• Match with Toasted Almond Champagne: A crisp, light champagne with subtle almond undertones creates a delightful contrast to the dense pudding. The bubbly drink cleanses the palate between each decadent spoonful.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool, smooth vanilla ice cream enhances the banana pudding's creamy profile. The classic flavors work together, creating a nostalgic dessert experience that feels like a comforting childhood treat.
• Complement with Nutty Dark Roast Coffee: A bold, dark roast coffee with hints of chocolate and nuts perfectly matches the peanut butter cookie crumbs. The robust coffee intensifies the dessert's deep, nutty undertones while providing a warming contrast.

Flavorful Variations to Elevate This Peanut Butter Pudding

• Chocolate Banana Bliss: Replace peanut butter cookies with chocolate wafers, mix cocoa powder into pudding base for rich chocolate depth.
• Tropical Dream: Incorporate coconut milk instead of regular milk, garnish with toasted coconut flakes and fresh mango slices for exotic flair.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add salted caramel sauce between pudding layers, sprinkle chopped roasted almonds and pecans on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.
• Seasonal Berry Burst: Swap banana slices with fresh strawberries or raspberries, mix berry compote into pudding for vibrant fruity undertones.

Why This Banana Pudding Is Anything But Basic

• Creamy Banana Bliss: Rich, velvety pudding transforms ripe bananas into a luxurious dessert that melts smoothly in your mouth, creating an instant comfort food experience.
• Quick Cookie Crunch: Homemade peanut butter cookies add a delightful textural contrast, breaking up the silky pudding with crispy, golden-brown crumbles that provide satisfying bite and nutty flavor.
• No-Fuss Layered Elegance: Simple assembly method allows anyone to create a stunning dessert without complex techniques, making it perfect for both novice cooks and experienced bakers looking for a crowd-pleasing treat.
• Versatile Serving Style: Flexible presentation options let you choose between a large family-style trifle or individual elegant dessert cups, making it adaptable for casual gatherings or sophisticated dinner parties.

Everything That Makes This Pudding Crunchy and Creamy

• Bananas: Ripe, sweet fruit providing natural flavor and creamy texture for pudding and layering.
• Milk: Whole milk creating rich, smooth pudding base.
• Cream: Adds luxurious richness and smooth consistency to pudding.
• Sugar: Sweetens both pudding and cookies with balanced flavor.

• Cornstarch: Essential for thickening pudding with smooth, silky texture.
• Egg Yolks: Provide additional richness and help stabilize pudding structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy spread forming base of cookie with nutty flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to both pudding and cookies.
• Butter: Enriches pudding and provides moisture to cookie dough.
• Egg: Binds cookie ingredients and provides structure.

How to Build a Layered Dessert With a Surprise Crumble

Step 1: Prepare Banana Puree

Peel 4 bananas and blend them using an immersion blender, stand blender, or food processor until completely smooth.

Step 2: Create Pudding Base

• Milk
• Cream
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Continue whisking until the mixture simmers and thickens slightly.

Step 3: Blend Banana Mixture

• Banana puree
• Butter
• Egg yolks

Return to heat while continuously whisking until it reaches a simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: Strain and Chill Pudding

Strain the mixture through a wire strainer into a bowl set inside a larger bowl filled with ice to cool quickly.

Step 5: Finish Pudding Preparation

Add vanilla extract and whisk thoroughly for 2 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap directly touching the pudding surface. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Step 6: Prepare Oven for Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 7: Mix Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until fully mixed.

Step 8: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in 1 egg and vanilla extract, ensuring smooth blending.

Step 9: Shape Cookies

Form tablespoon-sized dough balls on baking sheets, spaced 1 inch apart. Flatten each ball using fork tines in a crisscross pattern.

Step 10: Bake Cookies

Bake for 10-11 minutes. Cool on pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Step 11: Prepare Cookie Crumbs

Crush 3/4 of baked cookies by hand or pulse in a food processor to create desired crumb consistency.

Step 12: Slice Bananas

Slice remaining 3 bananas evenly for layering.

Step 13: Choose Serving Vessel

Select a large trifle dish or individual dessert cups/ramekins.

Step 14: Layer Dessert

• Cookie crumbs
• Pudding
• Banana slices

Repeat layers, topping with additional cookie crumbs and whole cookies.

Step 15: Optional Garnish

Add freshly whipped cream between layers if desired.

Enjoy your delightful banana pudding with peanut butter cookie crumbs!

Tips for Smooth Pudding and a Cookie Base That Pops

• Blend Bananas Smoothly: Use a powerful blender or food processor to create an ultra-smooth banana purée without lumps, ensuring a silky pudding texture.
• Control Pudding Consistency: Whisk continuously while cooking to prevent scorching and achieve a perfectly thickened pudding that's neither too runny nor too stiff.
• Chill Quickly: Use the ice bath method when straining to rapidly cool the pudding, preventing bacterial growth and maintaining a creamy, smooth consistency.
• Crush Cookies Strategically: Vary cookie crumb sizes for interesting texture – some larger chunks and some fine crumbs create a more complex mouthfeel in each bite.
• Layer Thoughtfully: Build layers carefully, pressing gently to help ingredients meld together without completely compressing the delicate pudding and cookie components.

Storage Tips for Holding the Texture Just Right

• Refrigeration: Store banana pudding in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep plastic wrap directly touching the pudding's surface to prevent skin formation and preserve its creamy texture. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing: Do not freeze completed banana pudding, as the texture will become watery and separate upon thawing. Peanut butter cookies can be frozen separately in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw cookies at room temperature before serving.
• Reheating: Enjoy banana pudding chilled directly from the refrigerator. For slightly softened cookies, microwave peanut butter cookies on low power for 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating to maintain their crisp texture and delicate flavor profile.

Banana Pudding With Peanut Butter Cookie Crumbs Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence in this classic banana pudding. Layered with silky custard, ripe bananas, and crumbled peanut butter cookies, each spoonful offers a nostalgic journey through sweet, rich flavors you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Pudding Base):

• 7 large, very ripe bananas (lightly speckled)
• 3 cups (710 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 6 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter

Sweeteners and Stabilizers:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60 grams) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Purée 4 ripe bananas using an immersion blender, stand blender, or food processor until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk (473 milliliters or ), heavy cream (237 milliliters or ), granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt until the mixture begins to simmer and slightly thicken.
3. Remove the pan from heat; gently incorporate banana purée, followed by unsalted butter and egg yolks. Return to heat while continuously whisking until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, cooking for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Enhance pudding’s texture by straining the mixture through a fine wire mesh strainer into a bowl nestled within an ice bath, ensuring rapid cooling and smooth consistency.
5. After straining, fold in pure vanilla extract, whisking thoroughly for approximately 2 minutes. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours until completely chilled.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), preparing two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
7. In a medium mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until fully integrated.
8. Incorporate a single egg and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes uniform and smooth.
9. Shape the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, placing them approximately one inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball using fork tines, creating a distinctive crisscross pattern.
10. Bake cookies for 10-11 minutes, allowing them to cool on the baking sheets for five minutes before transferring to wire racks for complete cooling.
11. Crush three-quarters of the baked cookies either manually or by pulsing briefly in a food processor to achieve desired crumb texture.
12. Slice the remaining three bananas into even, uniform pieces for layering.
13. Choose a large trifle dish or individual dessert cups based on preferred serving style.
14. Construct layers beginning with a sprinkle of cookie crumbs, followed by pudding and banana slices. Repeat the layering process, concluding with a generous topping of cookie crumbs and whole cookies for decorative presentation.
15. Optional: Garnish with freshly whipped cream between layers or atop the dessert for added richness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Personalize your pudding adventure by transforming classic banana dessert into a crunchy, creamy masterpiece.
• Crushing peanut butter cookies adds unexpected texture and rich, nutty undertones that elevate the traditional banana pudding experience.
• Straining the pudding mixture ensures silky-smooth consistency, preventing any potential lumps from disrupting your dessert’s luxurious mouthfeel.
• Chilling the pudding thoroughly allows flavors to meld and develop, creating a more complex and delightful taste profile.
• Layering technique matters: strategic placement of cookie crumbs, banana slices, and pudding creates visual appeal and guarantees delicious bites throughout.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending, Simmering, Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 46g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 13g
• Cholesterol: 120mg