Irresistible Banana Pudding Cheesecake Tres Leches Recipe

Creamy desserts hold a special place in every sweet lover’s heart, especially when banana pudding meets cheesecake tres leches in a divine fusion.

This indulgent treat blends classic flavors with a modern twist that’ll make taste buds dance.

Rich layers of smooth cream cheese mingle with delicate banana notes, creating a dessert that’s both nostalgic and innovative.

Each spoonful promises a luxurious experience that bridges traditional Latin and Southern American dessert traditions.

The combination feels like a culinary love letter to comfort and creativity.

Prepare to savor a dessert that’s guaranteed to become your new favorite indulgence.

FAQs

• What makes the banana pudding in this recipe special?

The pudding is enhanced with vanilla and cinnamon for extra depth of flavor, creating a more complex and rich taste profile compared to standard box mix instructions.

• Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, the dessert can be prepared a day in advance. After adding the milk mixture, refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight, which actually helps the flavors meld and improve the overall taste.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these?

You’ll need an ice cream scoop for consistent portioning, disposable cupcake cups, and a 1M piping tip for the cheesecake topping to achieve the professional-looking finish.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Tres Leches: Sweet Essentials

• Celebrate Versatility: A delightful fusion of banana pudding, cheesecake, and tres leches that brings multiple dessert worlds together in one incredible treat.
• Impress Easily: Looks and tastes like a professional bakery creation but can be prepared by home cooks with basic baking skills and minimal culinary expertise.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where you want a show-stopping dessert that appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar, comforting flavors.
• Create Memorable Experience: Offers a unique dessert experience with layers of texture, from the crunchy Nilla wafer crust to the creamy cheesecake topping and moist milk-soaked cake base.

Ingredients for Cheesecake Tres Leches

• Nilla Wafer Crumbs: A classic cookie base that provides a sweet and crunchy foundation for the dessert.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust and helps it bind together.
• Melted Butter: Helps the crust hold its shape and adds rich flavor.

• Cake Flour: Creates a tender and light cake texture.
• Wet Ingredients: Sugar, eggs, and other liquid components that provide moisture and structure to the cake.
• Dry Ingredients: Flour, baking powder, and salt that form the base of the cake batter.

• Banana Pudding Mix: A creamy base with added vanilla and cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Milk Blend: A combination of different milks that gives the cake its signature tres leches moisture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and tangy cheesecake-style topping.
• Heavy Cream: Provides structure and smoothness to the topping.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dessert.
• Banana Slices, Nilla Wafers: Fresh garnishes that add texture and visual appeal.

Steps for Moist Tres Leches Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F.

Grab your disposable cupcake cups and give them a quick spray of non-stick magic.

Step 2: Create a Crunchy Foundation

Combine Nilla wafer crumbs with sugar and melted butter until they’re best friends.

Press about two tablespoons of this mixture into the bottom of each cupcake cup, creating a delightful base.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cake Batter

Blend your wet ingredients until they’re smooth and happy.

Gently sift the dry ingredients and fold them into the wet mixture.

Mix until everything is just combined – no overmixing allowed!

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Scoop a generous helping of batter into each cupcake cup.

Pop them in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let the cakes cool completely.

Step 5: Craft the Banana Pudding

Prepare the banana pudding following the box instructions.

Jazz it up with a splash of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Chill in the refrigerator to set.

Step 6: Soak with Milky Goodness

Blend your milk mixture ingredients.

Carefully poke little holes in the cooled cakes.

Slowly pour the milk mixture over each cake, letting it soak but not overflow.

Refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 7: Whip Up the Cheesecake Topping

Beat cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture forms beautiful, stiff peaks.

Step 8: Build Your Masterpiece

Layer banana pudding and fresh banana slices on top of the soaked cakes.

Use a 1M piping tip to create gorgeous swirls of cheesecake topping.

Finish with a sprinkle of Nilla wafers and extra banana slices for the ultimate dessert experience.

Pro Tips for Creamy, Layered Desserts

• Brush Nilla wafer crust with melted butter before adding cake batter to maintain crispness and prevent soggy bottom.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and even cake texture, preventing excess liquid absorption.
• Choose ripe but firm bananas with yellow skin and minimal brown spots for optimal flavor and texture in pudding and garnish.
• Allow cakes to rest in refrigerator for full recommended time, ensuring thorough milk mixture penetration without oversaturation.
• Chill mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream cheese mixture to achieve stable, fluffy peaks that hold their shape.

New Flavors for Tres Leches Cheesecake Fans

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace Nilla crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Transformation: Swap dairy ingredients with coconut milk, vegan cream cheese, and egg replacer to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and choose sugar-free pudding mix to reduce overall sugar content.
• Tropical Remix: Incorporate coconut cream instead of regular cream, and add crushed pineapple or mango chunks for a Caribbean-inspired variation.

Serving Banana Pudding Cheesecake with Style

• Tropical Banana Bliss: Top these mini desserts with fresh banana slices and a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a Caribbean-inspired twist.
• Elegant Party Platter: Arrange the mini cakes on a beautiful tiered platter, alternating with fresh mint leaves for a stunning presentation that'll wow guests.
• Decadent Drizzle Delight: Enhance the dessert with a warm caramel or chocolate sauce drizzled over the top, creating an extra layer of indulgent flavor and visual appeal.
• Brunch Masterpiece: Serve alongside a strong espresso or cappuccino, transforming these mini treats into a perfect weekend brunch showstopper.

Storage Solutions for Tres Leches Desserts

• Store finished Banana Pudding Cheesecake Tres Leches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep cheesecake covered with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap individual cakes tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Never leave these delicate desserts at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Tres Leches Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy banana pudding cheesecake tres leches blends Mexican and Southern dessert traditions into one irresistible treat. Rich layers of banana-infused cheesecake soak in sweet milk, promising a delightful journey through classic comfort flavors you’ll savor with every indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix
• 1 cup milk (240 milliliters)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (50 grams)
• 1/2 cup melted butter (113 grams)
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla (7.5 milliliters)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 grams)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Milk Blend Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk (720 milliliters)
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 2 cans condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (5 milliliters)
• Pinch of cinnamon

Topping and Layering Ingredients:

• 6 ounces cream cheese (170 grams)
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream (300 milliliters)
• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (75 grams)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (5 milliliters)
• 2 1/3 cups Nilla cookie crumbs (280 grams)
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (142 grams)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (25 grams)
• 1 box banana pudding mix
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (2.5 milliliters)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare 18 disposable cupcake cups by lightly coating with non-stick spray.
2. Create the crust by thoroughly blending Nilla wafer crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Firmly press 2 tablespoons of mixture into the bottom of each cupcake cup.
3. Whisk wet ingredients until smooth, then gently fold in sifted dry ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
4. Distribute cake batter evenly into cupcake cups using an ice cream scoop. Bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cakes to cool completely at room temperature.
5. Prepare banana pudding following package instructions, enhancing with vanilla and cinnamon. Chill in refrigerator until needed.
6. Craft milk blend by combining specified ingredients. Gently puncture cooled cakes with fork, then slowly saturate with milk mixture, ensuring even absorption without overflowing. Refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight.
7. Whip cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until achieving stiff, voluminous peaks.
8. Construct final dessert by spreading banana pudding and fresh banana slices atop soaked cakes. Elegantly pipe cheesecake topping using a 1M decorative tip. Garnish with crumbled Nilla wafers and additional banana slices.

Notes

• Perfectly grease cupcake cups to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of delicate desserts.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother cake batter and more consistent mixing results.
• Avoid overmixing cake batter to maintain a tender, light texture that melts in your mouth.
• Create uniform cakes by using an ice cream scoop for precise portioning and even baking.
• Let cakes cool completely before adding milk mixture to prevent soggy texture and maintain structural integrity.
• Refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor absorption and more developed dessert consistency.
• Pipe cheesecake topping just before serving to keep wafers crisp and presentation pristine.
• Transform recipe gluten-free by substituting Nilla wafers with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg