Cookies/ Dessert/ Puddings & Custards/ Recipes

Banana Pudding Sandwich Cookies with Homemade Vanilla Wafers

Last week, I rekindled my love for banana pudding.

It’s one of those desserts that I love but tend to forget about, as it doesn’t seem to be as popular out in California as it does in, say, Texas, for example. Texas. The land of banana pudding. I don’t know about you, but my favorite thing about banana pudding is the crunchy little bits of vanilla wafers scattered throughout. After awhile, the wafers sort of absorb the pudding and become delightfully mushy. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. If you grew up in the South, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

So last week, I was sitting at Adam’s dad’s kitchen table scraping a bowl of pudding clean when I had the idea to make these cookie sandwiches upon returning home. Two homemade vanilla wafers sandwiched together with creamy banana pudding. The perfect ratio of cookie to pudding. My new cure for everything.

Get.into.it.

If assembling cookie sandwiches seems a bit too complicated and scary to you, do not fret. Alternately, you could turn these cookie sandwiches into regular ol’ southern style banana pudding by layering the homemade vanilla wafers with pudding and…wait for it…cool whip.

Can we talk about cool whip for a second?

I know it’s not good for you. I KNOW. It contains funky ingredients that I can’t pronounce and is alarmingly white. However, I sort of like it? I may or may not have kept stock of the stuff in my freshman dorm room freezer, where I would relish a couple frozen spoonfuls after biology lab. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine, what can I say? And it makes banana pudding. When you fold in the cool whip, the pudding becomes light and mousse-like.

My best friend and maid of honor {!!!!!} is coming in town tomorrow for the weekend. I have these cookie sandwiches and a bottle of champers chilled and ready. I’ll keep you posted on how that pairs goes — I have a pretty good feeling that it’s going to be incredible.

Long live banana pudding!

Banana Pudding Sandwich Cookies with Homemade Vanilla Wafers

makes about 20 cookie sandwiches with extra pudding

vanilla wafer recipe adapted from Alton Brown

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking powder

for banana pudding —

1 3.4 oz package Jello Banana Cream pudding

2 1/2 cups milk

1 cup cool whip, softened in the fridge

Directions:

First, make the pudding. Whisk together the pudding and milk for two minutes (according to package directions). Let firm up in the fridge for an hour. When pudding is set, fold in the softened cool whip until well combined. Let pudding chill in the fridge until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter, powdered sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth and combined.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/4″ thick. Cut wafers out with a small circular cookie cutter and place 1″ apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Let cookies cool completely. To assemble cookie sandwiches, place a dollop of pudding on one cookie and sandwich another cookie on top. Repeat with remaining cookies and pudding.

Time:

active time — 20 minutes

total time — 2 hours

 

You Might Also Like

  • Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    November 28, 2012 at 3:29 am

    I loooooove bananas, but somehow have never had more than a bite of banana pudding before in my life. I’m not sure how I got to age 26 like that. Ps. Have no fear- champagne goes w EVERYTHING.

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious)
    November 28, 2012 at 3:45 am

    These little sandwiches are so cute! I’ve lived in Texas for several months now and I have yet to try banana pudding. Clearly, I need to get with it.

  • Heather Michelle @ A Sweet Simple Life
    November 28, 2012 at 4:06 am

    Yum! Such a cute approach to banana pudding. I love it!

  • Anne
    November 28, 2012 at 4:27 am

    This is simply perfect! My dad does not like sweets other than Fig Newtons (he loves your version!) Little Debbies (too bad, so sad) and banana pudding!
    Now I know what to make for his birthday!!!

  • Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
    November 28, 2012 at 4:34 am

    Yuuuuum! I am so down with cookie sandwiches of ANY kind, and have a secret affinity for banana pudding…and banana popsicles. I know…

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    November 28, 2012 at 4:55 am

    This Illinois girl has never had banana pudding. Pudding has never been my favorite. I’d maybe like to swipe some with a vanilla wafer cookie though!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    November 28, 2012 at 4:57 am

    Ok, I’m sure I used to eat banana pudding a lot as a kid, but I’m clearly not from the South because I’ve never had it with vanilla wafers. I love the whole idea of the cookies soaking up the pudding…. totally trying this!!

  • Beth
    November 28, 2012 at 5:30 am

    I love the sandwich cookie idea but this is not the banana pudding that this southern girl grew up with. “Real” banana pudding is assembled with home made pudding (no Cool Whip, even though I kinda like it, too) and a baked meringue on the top. The real deal is soooo much better than the box pudding/cool whip knock off .

    • jenna
      November 28, 2012 at 7:14 am

      I agree with you and actually have a recipe for the homemade meringue topped banana pudding on this site as well. This variation was just easier and worked better with the cookie sandwiches 🙂

      • Beth
        November 29, 2012 at 5:31 am

        I can’t wait to try the home made vanilla wafers. I can see why this pudding version works best for the sandwiches. Thanks for a fresh take on a classic.

  • Sarah (Shh...Fit Happens)
    November 28, 2012 at 5:55 am

    They look so good! I have recently been putting pudding mix into my cookie batter and they are so freakin delicious! I added cheesecake pudding to choc. chip cookies and also made pistachio pudding cookies, my fam loved them! Pudding is where it is at!

  • Abby@ The Frosted Vegan
    November 28, 2012 at 6:10 am

    I LOVE the look of those wafers, so good!

  • sally @ sallys baking addiction
    November 28, 2012 at 6:29 am

    these are my kind of cookie Jenna! I want/need a homemade vanilla wafer recipe – they are my dad’s favorite cookies. banana pudding is my favorite flavor too 🙂 Gorgeous photos!

  • Erica @ Coffee & Quinoa
    November 28, 2012 at 6:44 am

    Your wafers came out so perfect! Adorable.

  • Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
    November 28, 2012 at 7:12 am

    This is such a fun idea – love it!

  • Rebecca Stewart
    November 28, 2012 at 7:19 am

    Banana pudding is the best, and I love this twist on it! I may have to try this for family Christmas. I’ve been considering doing a blog series on Southern foods, and this is the perfect inspiration to start brainstorming. Thanks, as always, Jenna!

  • bridget {bake at 350}
    November 28, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Totally and completely in LOVE with these….I DO live in Texas, after all. 😉

    And ps…I’m all about the Cool Whip.

    Have a wonderful weekend with your friend!!!

  • Kim@hungryhealthygirl
    November 28, 2012 at 7:38 am

    I’m from Texas and I definitely love me some banana pudding!! I also agree with you that no matter what cool whip and nilla wafers make it. I’ve also had it with cream cheese and chessman cookies; which was wonderful.

  • the domestic fringe
    November 28, 2012 at 7:58 am

    These look pretty fabulous. I’m a huge fan of bananas. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    ~FringeGirl

  • kristine
    November 28, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Yum these look wonderful!!
    And..I’m happy you re-found your love for banana pudding in Texas..but the more (maybe) important question is-did you find a wedding venue!?? 🙂

  • Sharla
    November 28, 2012 at 8:46 am

    home made nilla wafers!? what? I must try these – with my mom’s home made banana pudding…exciting!!

  • Julia {The Roasted Root}
    November 28, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Similar to you, I adore banana pudding but always forget about it until my friend from North Carolina comes and visits the west coast. There are so many southern dishes we should import to California…banana pudding for one and of course hush puppies, fried okra, gumbo and the list goes on and on. Your banana pudding cookies look awesome and gave me the reminder I needed to make up some southern cookin!

  • Aaryn
    November 28, 2012 at 9:13 am

    Oh my gosh, I am such a sucker for cute little food things, and I am pretty sure these little fellas fit the bill! Given that it’s dead week before finals, and I have term paper after term paper to write, it would be seriously dangerous for me to make these. But it just might happen. Ugh, thanks! 😉

  • deva at deva by definition
    November 28, 2012 at 9:23 am

    I adore banana pudding. My mom made it a lot when I was growing up, in her deeep green enamel dish. So tasty!

  • Nicole
    November 28, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Your just fantastic, that is all.

  • deva at deva by definition
    November 28, 2012 at 9:27 am

    these look and sound amazing :-). My mom made banana pudding a lot when I was growing up and it was awesome and is definitely ingrained in my memory banks.

  • Caitlin in MD
    November 28, 2012 at 9:31 am

    Are you still doing the recipe box challenge? This post made me think of it…

  • Caroline L.
    November 28, 2012 at 9:40 am

    this looks so wonderful & light & delicious. i think i physically need it in my belly…

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    November 28, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Banana pudding, you’re right is not a CA thing! When I lived in the South though, there was so much banana cream pudding this and that – and I love that you re-incorporated it. And the wafers are made and baked to perfection, Jenna!

  • polly
    November 28, 2012 at 10:21 am

    hi honey!!! 🙂

    bananas are hands DOWN by my favorite food and i love cool whip, too. yummy. and so exciting about your maid of honor!!! 😉 Have a blast. love you!

    p.s. those cookies look heavenly. need to make some ASAP!

  • Rachel Wilkerson
    November 28, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I was JUST gushing about how much I love Cool Whip over Thanksgiving! It’s so full of chemicals, but damn, it’s delicious.

  • Randilea @ Life As I Bake It
    November 28, 2012 at 10:50 am

    I love this post! I am originally from OK now living in Berkeley, and I so miss banana pudding! When you described the mushy vanilla wafers I totally know what you mean. That’s the best part! Yum, I want to make these now 🙂

  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    November 28, 2012 at 11:03 am

    There’s nothing like a few scoops of frozen Cool Whip to turn a day around! Yum! The homemade wafers look good enough to eat up on their own.

  • afarmerinthedell
    November 28, 2012 at 11:14 am

    I love banana pudding! these are adorable!

  • Pia @ Bread and Beta
    November 28, 2012 at 11:44 am

    I love vanilla wafers! I have been eating them forever – there are baby pictures of me snacking on nilla wafers. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action
    November 28, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    That sounds absolutely delicious. Adding it to my list of things to make right away!

  • Becky @ Olives n Wine
    November 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Homemade vanilla wafers! YUM! They have always been my cookie of choice 🙂

  • Emily @ Emily Eats and Runs
    November 28, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Mmm! I could eat a bucket of banana pudding! I have to try making these cookies!

  • jenn
    November 28, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    mmm. how would it be with ripe, maybe even heated, bananas sandwiched in too?

  • Mo
    November 28, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    Enough about food, give us some details on everything else going on! So exciting! 🙂

    • Jenn
      November 28, 2012 at 5:18 pm

      Ditto!

  • Lia
    November 28, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    This it very much my sort of dessert. And would definitely be fun to veganize. It looks and sounds just so lovely. I’ve never had banana pudding before actually.

  • Alli
    November 28, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    I love banana pudding. It’s my favorite dessert. I think it taste even better the next day. Yum!

  • jenna k
    November 28, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    my mother’s banana pudding is nothing short of amazing- instant pudding, cool whip, but incredibly perfect and heavenly. and of course, there’s the few extra wafers and tiny bit of pudding my mom saves me for breakfast as she’s putting it together.
    i’d never thought about it before, but it is almost comical how many banana pudding will end up at a southern church potluck. 🙂 definitely going to have to make these wafers!

  • Alicia @NeverEverBeenSkinny
    November 28, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    OH MY! You can make these things at home?!?!?! Oh I am really going to LOVE making this!

  • Luvwhatyoudo
    November 29, 2012 at 6:05 am

    This reminds me of the banana cream pudding we would eat when I lived in the south. I loved it! I can’t wait to make my own wafers. Yum!

  • Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
    November 29, 2012 at 8:54 am

    One of my favorite pies is Banana Cream, so there is no doubt in my mind that I would love these! And the vanilla wafers? Who doesn’t love those?

  • Jerrell
    November 30, 2012 at 8:31 am

    My dad is obsessed with Banana Pudding. I have to make these for him. He’ll be so impressed by homemade vanilla wafers!

  • Jennifer
    December 2, 2012 at 5:27 am

    I share your love for cool whip! Scary ingredients, for sure, but frozen spoonfuls of it = one of my favorite guilty pleasures! I made banana pudding last weekend for a baby shower & I wish I could go back in time and make these banana pudding cookie sandwiches!! Such a fun recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Mirta
    December 18, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  • Autumn
    February 27, 2013 at 10:01 am

    I love banana pudding, but I love the kind you have to cook not instant. You got to have nilla waffers and sliced bananas in it too to be a true Southern banana pudding (IMO). I can’t wait to make the homemade nilla waffers. I love cool whip but with all the chemicals I make homemade whip cream instead. Thanks for the receipe!