Coconut Cream Banana Dessert
A creamy, tropical-inspired dessert layered with coconut pudding, bananas, and a buttery crust, perfect for parties or family gatherings craving sweet, coconut-flavored treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix flour, softened butter, and sugar to form a dough.
- Press the dough into a 13 x 9-inch pan to form a crust.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes until golden.
- Beat powdered sugar with cream cheese until smooth.
- Fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust.
- Slice bananas over the cream cheese layer.
- Prepare the coconut cream pudding according to package instructions.
- Pour the pudding over the sliced bananas.
- Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top of the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle ground nuts over the dessert before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. If you want to lighten the dessert, use light cream cheese and sugar substitutes. You can also swap out the bananas for other fruits like strawberries or peaches for a different twist. For an added crunch, sprinkle in some toasted coconut flakes.
Serving Suggestions
This Coconut Cream Banana Dessert is perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks, and it pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve it chilled for a refreshing treat. For additional flavor, offer a side of caramel sauce or chocolate drizzle for guests to add on top.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's best to keep the dessert covered to prevent the bananas from browning. If you need to reheat, consider removing the Cool Whip layer and warming the crust slightly in the oven before adding the toppings back.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Coconut Cream Banana Dessert contains roughly 669 calories, with 8g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is a good source of protein (17% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (15% of the Daily Value), and iron (13% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this dessert a day in advance. Just assemble everything except for the Cool Whip topping and sliced bananas. Add those right before serving to keep them fresh and prevent browning.
What can I use instead of Cool Whip?
If you prefer, you can substitute homemade whipped cream for Cool Whip. Simply whip heavy cream with a bit of sugar until soft peaks form. This will give your dessert a fresh flavor and enhance its texture.
Is there a way to make this dessert gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour for the crust. Just ensure that all other ingredients, including the pudding mix, are gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).