These Banana Pudding Cupcakes are the cupcake version of banana pudding with a creamy pudding center, whipped topping and crushed vanilla wafers.
If you grew up in a southern household, chances are banana pudding was one of the desserts most likely to be served whenever there was a gathering of family or friends. Everyone, kids and adults alike, seems to love this sweet, delicious, and creamy mixture of pudding, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers with either whipped cream or a meringue on top.
It’s perfect for potlucks or large gatherings because it can and should be made ahead.
These Banana Pudding Cupcakes are cool, creamy, and dreamy just like banana pudding. They will make your eyes roll back in your head as you savor every delicious bite.
They start off with a super moist and delicious vanilla cupcake which is hollowed out and filled with vanilla wafer crumbs and a creamy pudding made richer with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, and studded with fresh banana pieces. It’s all topped off with some sweetened whipped topping. Your taste buds won’t know what hit them!
Try these other Banana Pudding Recipes:
Watch the short video below to see how to make this recipe:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2 egg yolks, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 large container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 12 whole vanilla wafers
- 8- oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ripe banana, cut into thin slices and then into a dice
- Heat oven to 350º with oven rack in middle of oven. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and use a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to mix them together.
- With mixer on medium speed, add butter, sour cream. egg, egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat for 30 seconds, until smooth and satiny.
- Remove mixing bowl from mixer and using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and make sure batter is mixed evenly.
- Divide batter equally among muffin cups and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool before proceeding.
- Using a spoon or your fingers, create a hollowed out portion in each cupcake like you would to make a bread bowl, but being careful to leave a layer of cupcake all the way across the bottom.
- Sprinkle some vanilla wafer crumbs at the bottom of each cupcake “bowl”.
- Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk for 2-3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl at least once.
- Add milk, vanilla extract, and pudding mix and beat until mixed together well. Stir in bananas by hand. Immediately spoon into cupcakes.
- Spoon pudding mixture into the holes with enough extra so you can create a layer of pudding spread across the top of the cupcake.
- Use an offset spatula or a pastry bag fitted with a large tip to add whipped topping on top of the pudding mixture. Garnish with a whole vanilla wafer and more crumbs if desired.
Vanilla Cupcake recipe slightly adapted from Brown Eyed Baker
Originally published Aug 12, 2013
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
I have been making these cupcakes for years now. I have even made it as a big cake. It is always a crowd pleaser and my go-to dessert for any function.
You think using a box of French vanilla cupcake mix would be good for this recipe?
Made these for my daughter in law birthday. So good. Everyone loved them.
These were a hit! I do have a question though. I had a lot of the filling leftover. How long is it good stored in the refrigerator? I was thinking I could make a half batch of cupcakes and use it up but it’s been almost a week.
I love using leftover pudding and the cupcake pieces I have from hollowing out to make little bowls of goodness.
My pudding mixture is morning creamy like pudding should be. I️ used 2% milk instead of whole. Can I️ add more milk to make it creamy?
How many cupcakes makes this recipe?
I made these yesterday and they are amazing!!!
Has anyone tried to make chocolate cupcakes? Any recommendations on how to add cocoa powder into the recipe?
Have you ever are this with banana flavored pudding instead of vanilla? Would it be too much?
I don’t think it would be too much if you want plenty of banana flavor. Maybe cut back some on the fresh banana because it tends to really flavor the pudding pretty strongly.
Do these need to be refrigerated if making a day ahead or for the leftovers?
Yes, because of the pudding filling they definitely need to be refrigerated.
oooh yum, but where is the banana in the ingredient list? 🙂
There’s a sliced banana added into the pudding that goes inside the cupcake.
Any way to post these amazing recipes to our ziplist recipe box?
I’ll look into that Laura!
Gorgeous cupcakes…. I need to make those … Pinning for now….
I love banana pudding! Banana anything, really. These cupcakes look wonderful – really great idea. Thanks so much.
These cupcakes look fantastic! It’s like banana cream pie but in a cupcake. So yummy!
Yes! Exactly like banana cream pie in a cupcake 🙂
those are so cute. good idea.
Thanks Dina!
Hi Christin, thanks so much for stopping by my blog and helping me find your blog in return! I’m from SC and after living here for 17 years, my husband and I can NEVER turn down anything ‘banana pudding-y” . . . There’s nothing quite like the comfort feeling when enjoying it and I’m SURE these banana pudding cupcakes bring the same happy feeling inside!
Roz
These cupcakes are adorable. I love any banana baked goods. Delicious!
Banana is one of my favorite ingredients for baking too!
One of my favorite things is banana pudding pie and I’ve never thought to make a cake version. Thank you for this! Consider it pinned!
Thanks Marcie! You will love the cake version 🙂
My grandchildren would love these – bookmarking this for the next time they stop by!
Yes Donalyn! I think your grandchildren would be very happy to have these cupcakes!
I like banana pudding (I live in Atlanta, how could I not?) but I have a feeling I will LOVE your banana pudding cupcakes! Why is it that any dessert turned cupcake is a million times better?!
One of my favorite desserts in cupcake form. I love it Christin!
I tried to read all the way through your post but just couldn’t as I had to run and find a napkin to wipe the drool off my face! Great looking cupcakes!
What a clever idea! I love banana pudding. These sound so so good…i havent had a cupcake in too long 😉
I’ve never ever had banana pudding when I was little, but oh, boy, I wish I had… that stuff sounds amazing! And so do these cupcakes, they look so lovely. I bet that the vanilla + banana combo is fantastic! x
It’s 20 minutes until midnight and I’m half tempted to go and open up a can of sweetened condensed milk and try that super yummy pudding out!! Girl, these are beautiful cupcakes and pictures!!
Don’t you hate to be tempted by sweets so late at night 😉
Ummm, ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Thatisall.
This sounds so stupid delicious. I am not from a southern family but I am from a family that absolutely loves dessert – so banana pudding has been around once or twice!
xo Jackie
Drool…
Cool I am also going to try with pineapple and coconut
That sounds like it would be delicious 🙂