Easy Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese

How can you prevent the bananas from turning brown in your banana pudding with cream cheese?

For best results, start with firm, unblemished bananas. If they’re too ripe, they’re more likely to bruise and turn brown. (Save overripe fruit for banana bread instead!) Once sliced, you can coat the bananas in a teaspoon of citrus juice to prevent oxidizing.

Can you use homemade whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping?

While homemade whipped cream is delicious, we don’t recommend it for this recipe. Fresh whipped cream tends to deflate, and it can cause your pudding to become too watery.

Can you make banana pudding with cream cheese ahead of time?

Yes! This delicious dessert needs to rest in the fridge at least 4 hours, but it can last up to 24. We don’t recommend making the pudding too far in advance, though, as the wafers will begin to get mushy. Still hungry? Try these other overnight desserts.

—Katie Bandurski, Taste of Home Associate Editor