Welcome to a delightful journey where classic Southern comfort meets a beloved childhood favorite! Our Nutter Butter Banana Pudding isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors, combining the creamy goodness of traditional banana pudding with the irresistible crunch and peanut butter delight of Nutter Butter cookies. This recipe elevates the beloved no-bake treat to an entirely new level, making it perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to festive potlucks. Get ready to discover a dessert that’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Banana pudding holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially in the South. For my amazing husband, who grew up amidst the rich culinary traditions of Alabama, it’s more than just a dessert – it’s a taste of home. As a passionate food and recipe blogger, I’m constantly seeking ways to put exciting new twists on cherished classics. The idea for a Nutter Butter Banana Pudding emerged from a perfect storm of cravings and convenience. We were fresh out of Nilla Wafers, the traditional base for banana pudding, but my husband’s persistent pleas for his favorite dessert echoed through the house. It was then that my secret stash of Nutter Butters, carefully hidden in the pantry, came to mind.
The connection between bananas and peanut butter is iconic, famously celebrated by Elvis Presley himself. If it was good enough for The King, it was certainly good enough for a groundbreaking twist on banana pudding! The thought sparked an immediate inspiration: a scratch-made Nutter Butter crust to replace the conventional wafer base. The moment the idea clicked, I was in the kitchen, quickly whipping up the crust, the aroma of crushed peanut butter cookies filling the air. The hardest part was making my husband wait patiently for the layers to set – a true test of self-control when such a tempting treat is in the making!
This Nutter Butter Banana Pudding recipe has quickly become my new go-to for virtually any gathering. Whether it’s a bustling potluck, a sunny picnic, a backyard barbecue, or even a lazy Sunday morning when I need a quick win (hey, there’s fruit in it!), this dessert fits the bill perfectly. Its effortless preparation belies its incredible flavor profile, leaving everyone who tastes it utterly amazed. My husband, usually protective of his desserts, even generously (after a bit of convincing and a promise for another batch soon!) shared two slices with his mom, who raved about its unique deliciousness. It’s a dessert that truly makes an impression, without requiring hours of effort in the kitchen.
Why This Nutter Butter Banana Pudding Will Be Your New Favorite
What makes this Nutter Butter Banana Pudding stand out from the crowd? It’s the delightful synergy of textures and flavors. The homemade Nutter Butter crust offers a wonderfully crunchy, salty-sweet foundation that perfectly complements the creamy vanilla pudding and soft, ripe bananas. Unlike traditional recipes that use vanilla wafers, the Nutter Butter crust introduces a rich peanut butter note that transforms each bite into a more complex and satisfying experience. It’s a nostalgic nod to classic flavors but with an exciting, modern twist that appeals to both adults and children alike.
Beyond its fantastic taste, this dessert champions convenience. It’s a no-bake wonder, meaning you won’t have to turn on your oven, making it ideal for warmer months or when you simply want to minimize cooking time. The layered structure is visually appealing, making it a showstopper on any dessert table, and the individual components are straightforward to prepare. From crushing cookies to mixing pudding, each step is designed for ease, allowing even novice bakers to achieve a professional-looking and tasting dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Irresistible Dessert
Crafting this delectable Nutter Butter Banana Pudding requires only a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
- Nutter Butters: These iconic peanut butter sandwich cookies are the star of our crust, providing that signature nutty flavor and a delightful crunch. Make sure to have a few extra for crumbling on top!
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crushed Nutter Butters together, forming a sturdy and flavorful crust.
- Bananas: Ripe, but not overly mushy, bananas are essential for their natural sweetness and soft texture. They provide the “banana” in banana pudding, obviously!
- Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix: This is our shortcut to a rich, creamy pudding layer without the fuss of cooking from scratch.
- Milk: Cold milk is combined with the instant pudding mix to achieve the perfect pudding consistency.
- Cool Whip Whipped Topping/Whipped Cream: A light and airy topping adds a final touch of sweetness and contrasts beautifully with the other layers. You can use store-bought Cool Whip for convenience or make your own fresh whipped cream.
Expert Tips for a Flawless Nutter Butter Banana Pudding
To ensure your Nutter Butter Banana Pudding turns out perfectly every time, here are some key tips and tricks:
Garnishing Glory: Don’t forget the finishing touches! Always save a few Nutter Butter cookies from the package to crumble and sprinkle generously over the top of the finished pudding. This not only adds extra flavor and texture but also visually signals the peanut butter goodness hidden within. For an extra hint, you can even stick a whole Nutter Butter cookie right in the center. While you could top it with banana slices, I often skip this step to avoid them browning before the dessert is served, which can detract from its visual appeal.
Banana Perfection: When slicing your bananas, aim for relatively even thicknesses. This ensures they lay smoothly across the crust, creating a beautiful and consistent layer. If you’re serving to serious banana enthusiasts, feel free to add an extra layer or two on the bottom for an even more intense banana flavor. To help prevent browning if you plan to make it well in advance, a light toss with a tiny amount of lemon juice (you won’t taste it!) can work wonders.
Pudding Precision: Once your bananas are in place, carefully spread the pudding mixture over them. The goal is to cover the bananas evenly without mashing them or causing them to shift too much in the crust. A gentle hand and an offset spatula work wonders here. Ensure the pudding is smooth and reaches all edges of the pie.
The Chill Factor: Patience is a virtue, especially with no-bake desserts. It is absolutely crucial that the pudding mixture is thoroughly chilled before serving. This allows the layers to set properly, ensuring your pudding holds its shape beautifully when sliced. Rushing this step can result in a messy, less satisfying dessert. I recommend chilling for a minimum of 2 hours, but for the best results, letting it set for 4-24 hours truly makes a difference in texture and flavor integration.
Serving Suggestions: When it’s time to serve, a pie server is your best friend. If you’ve made a particularly thick Nutter Butter crust, you might find it easier to make initial cuts through the crust with a sharp knife before using the server. This helps create clean slices and ensures every piece comes out of the pie pan effortlessly, presenting your masterpiece beautifully to your eager guests.
More Delectable Dessert Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with this Nutter Butter Banana Pudding, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic dessert recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your family and friends:
- Irresistible Chocolate Caramel Oat Bars
- Zesty Lemon Butter Cookies
- Sweet & Creamy Cherry Frosting
- Decadent Buckeye Bars
- Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge
- Succulent Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar
Crafting the Perfect Nutter Butter Crust
The foundation of our Nutter Butter Banana Pudding is its unique and flavorful crust. It’s incredibly simple to make and adds an unforgettable peanut butter punch to every bite.
To create this delightful base, you’ll need a family-size package of Nutter Butters and about half a stick of melted butter. The generous amount of cookies ensures a robust and flavorful crust that stands up to the creamy layers.
Start by placing the Nutter Butters into a large Ziploc bag. Seal the bag, pressing out most of the air to prevent it from bursting. This simple step makes the crushing process much cleaner and more efficient.
Using a rolling pin, crush the cookies into small, even pieces. Aim for a fine crumb, but a few slightly larger bits will add a nice textural contrast. If you prefer a perfectly uniform crust, you can also process the Nutter Butters in a food processor until finely ground.
For a smart shortcut and to minimize dishwashing, pour the melted butter directly into the bag with the crushed Nutter Butters. Knead the bag gently to ensure the butter is thoroughly distributed among the cookie crumbs. This creates a moist, cohesive mixture that will form a perfect crust.
Finally, press the butter-infused crumbs into your pie pan. Use the bottom of a drinking glass or a measuring cup to firmly press the crumbs into the bottom. Then, use your hands to carefully press the remaining crumbs up the sides of the pie dish, forming a beautiful, even crust. Once formed, place the crust in the refrigerator to chill and set, ensuring it becomes firm and holds its shape when the other layers are added. This chilling step is essential for a stable base.
Layering the Banana Goodness
With your Nutter Butter crust chilling, it’s time to assemble the creamy, fruity layers that complete this incredible dessert.
Once your crust is firm, retrieve it from the refrigerator. Begin by carefully arranging your sliced banana pieces over the bottom of the pie crust. As mentioned earlier, aim for even slices to create a consistent layer.
When placing the banana slices, I like to leave small, intentional spaces between them. This allows the creamy vanilla pudding to seep down slightly, creating a more cohesive and integrated layer, ensuring that every bite gets a taste of both banana and pudding.
Next, prepare your instant vanilla pudding according to package directions, typically by whisking it with cold milk until thickened. Once mixed, evenly spread this luscious vanilla pudding over the layer of bananas. Take care to cover all the bananas completely. Return the pie to the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours to allow the pudding to set fully and marry with the banana and crust flavors.
Once the vanilla pudding has firmly set, it’s time for the final, fluffy layer. Gently spread a generous amount of Cool Whip or freshly whipped cream over the top. This adds a light, airy contrast to the dense pudding and crunchy crust. You can serve your Nutter Butter Banana Pudding just like this for a simple yet elegant presentation, or for an extra touch…
To truly take your dessert over the top, sprinkle additional crushed Nutter Butters generously over the whipped topping just before serving. This creates a beautiful visual and adds an extra layer of peanut buttery crunch that is simply irresistible. Every bite of this Nutter Butter Banana Pudding Pie is a symphony of flavors and textures, promising pure dessert bliss.
Just looking at this masterpiece makes me want to make another one already! It’s that good.
Nutter Butter Banana Pudding
This Nutter Butter Banana Pudding is a great twist on a classic banana pudding. Made with a scratch-made Nutter Butter crust.
Average Rating: 4.34 from 3 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Refrigerator Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 228 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 30 Nutter Butter cookies
- ½ cup Butter melted
- 5.1 Ounce Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
- 3 cups Milk Cold
- Cool Whip or Whipped Cream
- 2 Bananas
Instructions
Nutter Butter Crust
- Crush 26-30 Nutter Butters in a sealed baggie or food processor until fine crumbs are formed.
- Mix the crushed Nutter Butters with the melted butter.
- Press the Nutter Butter mixture firmly into a pie dish, extending it up the sides to form a crust.
- Refrigerate the crust for at least a few hours (or until firm) to allow it to set completely.
Banana Pudding Assembly
- Arrange sliced bananas evenly over the set Nutter Butter pie crust.
- Combine the instant Vanilla Pudding mix with cold milk according to package directions. Pour and gently spread this pudding mixture over the bananas in the pie crust.
- Place the pie back in the fridge for an additional 1-2 hours (or until the pudding is fully set).
- Just before serving, top the pudding with a layer of Cool Whip or whipped cream. Garnish with additional crushed Nutter Butters.
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 108
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