Easy Banana Pudding

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola™ Company. All opinions are mine alone. #StaterSnacks #CollectiveBias  

Put some variety in snack time with this Easy Banana Pudding recipe! Every now and then, I like to switch things up a bit when my family asks for a yummy snack. To be honest, we were in a “snack time rut” for awhile and I needed to add a few new options. I’m so glad I made the Banana Pudding because it was a big hit! Now is the time for me to gather more snack ideas because graduations, Memorial weekend, Father’s Day and summer break are all upon us. The kids will be home more often, friends and family will be over and I need a good selection of easy snacks to keep everyone happy!

The kids actually ASKED to go shopping with me so they could help choose some new snack foods. We went to our local Stater Bros to pick up some groceries. There were end cap displays and another display in the freezer section (near the ice cream) of Coca-Cola™ and Nabisco products. In May, you save $2 at Stater Bros. when you buy any four (4) Coca-Cola .5L/6pk, 6pk glass, mini-cans and Nabisco family size or 12 count single serve products and in June two (2) for $6 mix and match Coke .5L/6pk and Nabisco Toasted Chips with Digital Deals. This is a perfect time to pick up both Coca-Cola™ and Nabisco single-serve snack products! I stocked up on 12-packs of mini Nabisco cookies and Diet Coke®.

When I saw the mini cookies, I thought it would be fun to make cookie sundaes. That was my original plan, but as we browsed the aisles, I noticed the banana pudding mix and remembered a yummy dessert that I tried at a friends house long ago! It was SO good! She made the Banana Pudding from scratch, but I decided to make an EASY banana pudding instead. The grandparents were going to be visiting so I decided to make it when they were here.

Easy Banana Pudding

• 1 8 oz. Block Cream Cheese
• 1 5.1 oz. Package Instant Banana Pudding
• 2 1/2 Cups Milk
• Bananas, Sliced
• Nabisco Nilla Wafers 
• Whipped Topping
• Caramel Topping, optional
• Maraschino Cherries, optional

Yield: 6 Servings

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Next, slowly add in the Banana Pudding mix. The consistency will now be crumbly. Begin adding the milk a little at a time. Start with 1/2 cup, then add the remaining milk in 1/2 cup increments and mix until it is smooth and creamy. Divide into cups. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1-2 hours. I made the pudding the night prior. It held very well overnight.

Once chilled, the pudding will set and have a thicker consistency. Before serving, slice up a large banana or two. Add sliced banana and NILLA Wafers to each cup. 

Top with whipped topping and a nice drizzle of caramel. If desired, place a cherry on top and serve. Enjoy! 

The best part for the kids was being able to “make their own dessert”. It was fun to assemble and they said it was like being able to make their own sundaes. One of my kids decided to try the Nutter Butter Mini Cookies instead of the Nilla Wafers. She said it was AWESOME! I will be trying this next time for sure!

For Grandpa, I made a Diet Coke® Float! I added a generous scoop of ice cream to his glass of Diet Coke®. Grandpa is such a huge fan of Diet Coke® and though he likes banana pudding, he LOVES Diet Coke® much more! As a child, my mom used to make us Coca-Cola™ Floats. We would get a class of Coca-Cola™ with a splash of milk and a scoop of ice cream. It was one of our favorite frosty summer treats! 

We will be making this Easy Banana Pudding again over the summer for sure! You can try other flavors of pudding and choose complimentary toppings. The possibilities are endless, so take advantage of the awesome deal at Stater Bros and stock up on Nabisco and Coca-Cola™ products!  What other flavor combos would you try? Let me know in the comments!