Cinematic overhead view of a banana pudding birthday cake with golden layers, silky vanilla pudding, whipped cream frosting, fresh banana slices, and crushed wafer cookies on a white marble surface, highlighted by warm golden hour lighting and a shallow depth of field.

Banana Pudding Birthday Cake: The Ultimate Southern Celebration Dessert

Quick Key Info

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours

Servings: 12

Difficulty: Intermediate

Dietary Tags: Vegetarian, Contains Dairy

Essential Equipment

Ingredients

For the Banana Cake
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
  • 1¼ cups buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Banana Pudding
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
For the Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Components

Preparation Method

Cake Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Cake Dry Mix:
    • Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
    • Set aside
  3. Cake Wet Mix:
    • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
    • Add eggs one at a time
    • Mix in mashed bananas and vanilla
    • Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk
  4. Baking:
    • Divide batter between prepared pans
    • Bake 25-35 minutes
    • Test: Toothpick comes out clean
    • Cool completely on wire rack

Cinematic close-up of a stand mixer bowl with creamy butter and sugar being whipped, golden mashed bananas added, warm lighting highlighting a rich batter, with flour-dusted countertops and wooden utensils nearby.

Pudding Creation
  1. Whisk milk, cream, half the sugar in saucepan
  2. Separately, mix egg yolks, remaining sugar, cornstarch
  3. Temper egg mixture with hot milk
  4. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly
  5. Strain and cool completely
Whipped Cream
  1. Whip cream until soft peaks form
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla
  3. Whip to medium peaks

Assembly Magic

  1. Place first cake layer
  2. Spread thin pudding layer
  3. Add banana slices
  4. Sprinkle crushed wafers
  5. Add second cake layer
  6. Cover with whipped cream
  7. Decorate with remaining wafers and banana slices

Overhead shot of banana pudding cake assembly, showcasing golden banana cake layers, silky vanilla pudding, circular banana slices, and crushed vanilla wafers under soft diffused lighting.

Pro Tips

  • Use overripe bananas for deeper flavor
  • Chill cake 2-3 hours before serving
  • Add fresh banana slices just before serving to prevent browning

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cover tightly to maintain freshness

Variations

  • Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and wafers
  • Vegan: Substitute plant-based ingredients
  • Poke Cake Style: Add pudding directly into cake holes

Dietary Considerations

  • Allergens: Contains dairy, eggs, gluten
  • Nutrition: High in sugar, moderate protein

Enjoy your show-stopping Banana Pudding Birthday Cake!

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