Banana desserts walk the line between cozy and over-the-top in the best way. From creamy puddings to frosted cakes, banana flavor holds up across all kinds of textures and temperatures. It works well with caramel, chocolate, cream cheese, nuts, and just about anything you can throw at it, whether you’re baking or going the no-bake route. This list brings together everything from old-school favorites like banana pudding to playful twists like ice cream sandwiches and lush desserts. There’s something here for every kind of sweet craving, and every one of them starts with the familiar comfort of banana.
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, moist layers of banana cake are paired with a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting. The flavor is rich without being heavy, making it easy to go back for seconds. A dusting of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a little crunch. This is a solid choice when you want something classic but crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Southern Banana Pudding
Vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and creamy pudding come together in a chilled layered dessert. The texture is smooth and soft with just enough crunch from the cookies. Served in a big dish or individual cups, it feels both nostalgic and timeless. It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t need updating.
Get the Recipe: Southern Banana Pudding
Banana Split Dessert
This dessert stacks up banana slices, whipped topping, chocolate, and cherries in a no-bake format. It captures all the flavors of the ice cream classic without melting in your hands. The graham cracker crust gives it some structure. It’s bright, cold, and fun to serve.
Get the Recipe: Banana Split Dessert
Cream Cheese Banana Pudding
Thicker and richer than traditional pudding, this version adds cream cheese to the mix. It’s ultra creamy and smooth with a slightly tangy twist. The banana flavor still leads, but the texture levels up. A great variation when you want something more decadent.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Banana Pudding
Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream
Ripe bananas are caramelized before being blended into the ice cream base, giving it deep, roasted flavor. It’s creamy, slightly smoky, and sweet without being over the top. No mix-ins needed—this one holds up on its own. Scoop it once and you’ll probably want more.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream
Banana Pudding Layer Cake
All the flavors of banana pudding, but turned into a showpiece layer cake. There’s pudding between the layers, banana slices tucked inside, and frosting all over. It looks impressive but still hits with familiar flavor. A great pick for celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Layer Cake
Banana Pudding Cheesecake
Cheesecake meets banana pudding in this creamy mashup with a vanilla wafer crust. The filling is smooth and rich with banana flavor throughout. A whipped topping finish adds a lighter touch. It’s like two desserts in one slice.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake
Banana Pudding Cupcakes
These cupcakes are filled with banana pudding and topped with fluffy whipped frosting. A wafer or banana slice on top ties the look together. Soft cake and creamy filling make each bite interesting. They’re great for parties or casual baking days.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cupcakes
Banana Almond Milk Ice Cream
Frozen bananas and almond milk are blended into a simple, soft-serve style treat. It’s smooth and naturally sweet with no need for extra sugar. Easy to make with just a blender. It’s cold, creamy, and fast.
Get the Recipe: Banana Almond Milk Ice Cream
Banana Cake Roll
A thin banana sponge cake is rolled with cream cheese or whipped filling for a swirl in every slice. It’s light but still satisfying with the banana flavor baked right in. A dusting of powdered sugar finishes it off. The rolled shape makes it stand out.
Get the Recipe: Banana Cake Roll
Banana Caramel Cake
Banana cake layers are soaked with caramel and topped with even more drizzle. It’s sticky, sweet, and rich without needing frosting. Each bite blends soft cake with gooey caramel. Great served warm or chilled.
Get the Recipe: Banana Caramel Cake
Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
Soft banana cookies hold together a scoop of ice cream for a cold treat that goes beyond the usual. The cookies stay chewy even when frozen. You can go classic with vanilla or add in chocolate or caramel swirls. Easy to customize with your favorite add-ons.
Get the Recipe: Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
Banana Split Fluff
All the banana split flavors, pineapple, strawberry, banana, and whipped topping—mixed into a light dessert salad. Mini marshmallows add texture and sweetness. It’s bright, sweet, and totally low-effort. Serve it cold straight from the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Banana Split Fluff
No Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake
This chilled dessert layers cheesecake filling with banana slices and cookies. No oven needed, just mix, chill, and serve. The texture is firm but creamy with distinct layers. It’s great when you need something rich but low on prep.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake
Banana Icebox Cake
Layers of whipped cream, cookies, and banana slices stack up in the fridge. After a few hours, everything softens into a cake-like texture. It’s sliceable and surprisingly decadent for such a simple process. A no-bake win.
Get the Recipe: Banana Icebox Cake
Banana Bark
Frozen banana slices are covered with chocolate and frozen again for a quick treat. Toppings like nuts or crushed cookies can be added before freezing. It’s crunchy, cold, and snackable. Break into shards and store in the freezer.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bark
No Bake Banana Split Lush
A dessert with layers of banana, cream, fruit, and cookies that chills into something soft and spoonable. It’s sweet, cool, and loaded with mix-ins. Each bite has a bit of everything. Serve straight from the dish.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Banana Split Lush
Banana Nutella Muffins
Ripe banana and swirls of Nutella bake into soft, chocolatey muffins. They’re rich but balanced with just enough banana to keep things interesting. Each one has a different swirl pattern on top. No frosting needed.
Get the Recipe: Banana Nutella Muffins
Banana Split Cupcakes
Banana cupcakes are topped with chocolate, whipped cream, and a cherry for a full split-in-a-bite experience. The texture stays light with a burst of flavor on top. They’re colorful and fun to make. Great for themed parties or anytime you want to mix things up.
Get the Recipe: Banana Split Cupcakes
