Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with a show-stopping dessert: Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel! This irresistible treat layers billowy clouds of banana pudding and smooth cream cheese over tender lady fingers, all tied together with glossy ribbons of caramel and slices of fresh banana. Imagine the classic Italian tiramisu taking a sweet southern detour—every forkful delivers pure joy. If you’re craving a dessert that’s equal parts nostalgic and unique, this recipe will quickly become your new go-to.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel is its effortless combination of pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each component has a role to play, lending richness, sweetness, or just the right bit of bite to balance out the sweetness.

• GF lady fingers: These gluten-free, cake-like cookies soak up the creamy pudding and give you that classic tiramisu texture with an extra tender crumb.
• Instant banana pudding (5.1 oz): This mix provides natural banana flavor and helps create an ultra-creamy filling in minutes.
• Cream cheese (16 oz, room temp): Softened cream cheese makes the filling extra rich and smooth, adding tang to balance the sweetness.
• Milk (16 oz): Use a thicker milk (like Ripple for dairy-free) to ensure your filling has a luscious, spoonable body.
• Banana (1, sliced): Freshly sliced banana adds texture and an extra pop of real banana taste throughout every layer.
• Caramel sauce (4 tbsp): Glossy caramel weaves in buttery depth and a hint of indulgence that takes the whole thing over the top.

How to Make Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Filling

In a large mixing bowl, add your softened cream cheese. Beat it for several minutes until completely smooth—this ensures your filling will be extra fluffy and free of any lumps. Add in the instant banana pudding mix and your milk, then continue to beat everything together until the mixture is silky-smooth and pale yellow. It should be thick and hold soft peaks—this is where the magic begins!

Step 2: Layer the Lady Fingers

Grab a 10×7 inch baking dish that’s at least 2 inches deep, because this dessert deserves room to show off its beautiful layers. Lay down a firm yet gentle layer of gluten-free lady fingers, lining the bottom of the dish from edge to edge. These spongy cookies will soon soak up the flavor and become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Step 3: Add the First Layer of Cream and Caramel

Spoon half of your creamy banana pudding mixture over the lady fingers, using a spatula to spread it out smoothly and evenly. Next, drizzle half of your caramel sauce right over the pudding layer, making little zig-zags or swirls. The combination of silky pudding and sweet, sticky caramel is pure dessert bliss.

Step 4: Repeat the Layers

Add a second layer of lady fingers directly over the cream and caramel. Pour the rest of the banana pudding filling evenly on top, smoothing it out for that bakery-perfect finish. This double layering ensures every bite of Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel has the perfect ratio of creamy, cakey, and caramel goodness.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 6 hours—this step is crucial, as it gives the lady fingers time to fully absorb the pudding and lets all the flavors develop. Your patience will be well rewarded!

Step 6: Top and Serve

When you’re ready to serve, remove the dish from the fridge and unveil your masterpiece. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top in a decorative pattern, and scatter generously with fresh banana slices. Grab a spoon, and get ready to watch smiles appear with every bite of Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel.

How to Serve Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel

Garnishes

The finishing touches really make this dessert feel special. Crown your Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel with additional banana slices, a final ribbon of caramel, and if you like, a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers or toasted nuts for color and crunch. This final touch makes each serving look just as luscious as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Since this dessert is rich and full of bold flavors, it pairs beautifully with lighter options. Try serving it alongside strong espresso or black coffee to give balance to the sweetness, or with a simple fruit salad for a refreshing, palate-cleansing contrast at the end of your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special occasions, serve Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel in individual parfait glasses or mason jars—showing off all those stunning layers. Or, make mini versions in ramekins for a make-ahead treat that’s cute as can be. Add a gold spoon and a sprig of mint for a knockout presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your leftovers (if you have any!) will keep quite well. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices into airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld beautifully and the texture remains creamy and dreamy.

Freezing

If you’d like to make Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel well in advance, you can freeze individual portions. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge—just note that the banana slices may brown a bit but the flavor will still shine!

Reheating

This is definitely a dessert best served cold, straight from the fridge—no reheating needed. If it has been frozen, simply allow it to thaw gently in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its delightful texture and fresh banana layers.

FAQs

Can I use homemade banana pudding instead of instant?

Absolutely! If you love making banana pudding from scratch, go for it. The key is to let your homemade pudding cool before mixing it with the cream cheese so the filling stays thick and luscious.

What if I can’t find gluten-free lady fingers?

No worries—you can substitute with any gluten-free sponge cake or even gluten-free vanilla wafers, layering them as you would the lady fingers. It’ll still taste incredible!

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese and a thicker dairy-free milk (like Ripple or a rich almond milk) to keep the texture creamy. Just make sure your lady fingers are also dairy-free.

How do I prevent the bananas from browning?

To keep banana slices bright, toss them in a bit of lemon juice before placing them on top. Add them just before serving to keep your Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel looking fresh and inviting.

Can I make Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel the night before?

Definitely! In fact, making it a day ahead will give the flavors extra time to mingle and the layers to set perfectly. Just add your final layer of fresh bananas and caramel right before serving for the best presentation.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to wow friends and family with something different but familiar, Banana Pudding Tiramisu with Caramel is your ticket to dessert heaven. Every bite brings a cascade of creamy, caramelly, and banana-filled goodness. Give it a try—your taste buds (and everyone at your table) will thank you!

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