James
This Banana Pudding Pound Cake combines the rich buttery texture of a classic pound cake with the nostalgic flavor of banana pudding. Ripe bananas, vanilla pudding mix, and a creamy glaze create a moist, tender cake that tastes like banana pudding in cake form.
This recipe makes one large Bundt cake or two loaf cakes.
Ingredients
For the pound cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (about 3.4 oz / 96 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3–4 bananas)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Optional mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
For the vanilla banana glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons mashed banana
- A pinch of salt
For garnish
- Crushed vanilla wafers
- Fresh banana slices (add just before serving)
- Whipped cream, if desired
Equipment
- 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan or two 9×5-inch loaf pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the pan
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Grease the Bundt pan thoroughly with butter or baking spray.
- Dust lightly with flour, tapping out any excess. This helps the cake release cleanly after baking.
Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Vanilla pudding mix
- Baking powder
- Salt
Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl:
- Beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Gradually add the sugar and continue beating for 4–5 minutes until the mixture becomes very light and fluffy.
This step is important because it creates the fine crumb that pound cakes are known for.
Add the eggs
Add the eggs one at a time:
- Beat well after each addition.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
The batter should look smooth and creamy before moving to the next step.
Add the flavorings
Mix in:
- Vanilla extract
- Mashed bananas
- Sour cream
Beat until fully combined. The batter may look slightly curdled from the bananas, which is completely normal.
Combine wet and dry ingredients
Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk:
- Add 1/3 of the flour mixture.
- Add 1/2 of the milk.
- Add another 1/3 of the flour mixture.
- Add the remaining milk.
- Finish with the final 1/3 of the flour mixture.
Mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix or the cake may become dense.
Fold in optional ingredients
If using, gently fold in:
- Crushed vanilla wafers for extra banana pudding flavor
- Pecans or walnuts for crunch
- White chocolate chips for sweetness
Bake the cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 70–85 minutes for a Bundt cake, or 55–70 minutes for loaf pans.
- The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 20 minutes of baking.
Cool the cake
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes.
- Carefully invert onto a wire rack.
- Allow it to cool completely before glazing.
Make the glaze
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or cream
- Vanilla extract
- Mashed banana
- Pinch of salt
Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Glaze and decorate
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers on top.
- Add fresh banana slices just before serving for the classic banana pudding look.
- A dollop of whipped cream makes it even more dessert-like.
Tips for the best Banana Pudding Pound Cake
Use very ripe bananas
The darker the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake will be. Brown-spotted bananas are ideal.
Bring ingredients to room temperature
Butter, eggs, sour cream, and milk blend together more smoothly when they are not cold.
Avoid overmixing
Mix just until the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the cake tough.
Let the cake rest
Pound cakes often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld and the texture becomes more tender.
For extra banana pudding flavor
Layer additional crushed vanilla wafers between spoonfuls of batter before baking. This creates little pockets of cookie flavor throughout the cake.
Storage
At room temperature:
- Store covered for up to 3 days.
- Keep banana slices off the cake until serving so they do not brown.
In the refrigerator:
- Store for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
In the freezer:
- Wrap the unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and glaze before serving.
Serving ideas
This cake is delicious served with:
- Fresh whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Extra sliced bananas
- Crushed vanilla wafers
- A drizzle of dulce de leche
- Coffee or hot tea
Banana pudding-inspired variation
For an even more dramatic dessert:
- Slice the cooled pound cake horizontally into layers.
- Spread vanilla pudding between the layers.
- Add sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers.
- Reassemble the cake and top with whipped cream and more cookie crumbs.
- Chill for 1–2 hours before serving.
This turns the pound cake into a show-stopping banana pudding cake for birthdays, holidays, or family gatherings.
Why this recipe works
The instant vanilla pudding mix adds moisture and a rich vanilla flavor while helping keep the cake soft for days. The bananas provide natural sweetness and tenderness, and the sour cream creates a velvety crumb. Together, they make a pound cake that is dense enough to feel classic, yet incredibly moist and flavorful.
Every slice tastes like a cross between homemade banana bread, creamy banana pudding, and buttery pound cake—a comforting dessert that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Enjoy your homemade Banana Pudding Pound Cake! 🍌🍰✨
