Banana Pudding Cookies Delight

These cookies taste just like creamy banana pudding but in soft, chewy cookie form. Each bite is filled with banana flavor, bits of vanilla wafers, and sweet white chocolate chips. I baked them one afternoon, and they vanished faster than I expected.

I love how they’re soft in the center with a light crunch on the edges. The banana flavor feels cozy and nostalgic, just like the classic dessert. They’re easy to make, smell amazing, and stay perfectly moist.

If you love banana pudding, you’ll adore these Banana Pudding Cookies Delight. Let’s bake a batch together—they’re comforting, sweet, and impossible to resist warm from the oven.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes Like the Real Thing: All the flavors of traditional banana pudding in a handheld cookie.
• Soft and Chewy Texture: The pudding mix keeps these cookies moist for days.
• Easy to Make: Simple mixing and baking with no complicated steps.
• Perfect for Sharing: Makes about 24 cookies, great for parties or potlucks.
• Kid-Approved: Children love the familiar banana and vanilla wafer combination.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour

Servings: This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Perfect for feeding a crowd or keeping some frozen for later. Want more? Simply double the recipe.

Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners. Even new bakers will have success with these simple cookies.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Wire cooling rack
• Cookie scoop (1.5-2 tablespoon size)

Ingredients for Banana Pudding Cookies

These cookies use everyday ingredients that work together to create that signature banana pudding taste. The instant pudding mix is the secret ingredient that keeps the cookies soft, while the crushed Nilla wafers add authentic flavor and a slight crunch.

Here’s what you’ll need (exact measurements in the recipe card below):

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Sugars: Both light brown sugar and granulated sugar create the perfect sweetness and texture.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness without making the cookies cakey.
• Banana: Use a ripe banana for natural sweetness and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the banana and vanilla wafer flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The magic ingredient that makes these taste like banana pudding.
• Leavening Agents: Baking soda and baking powder help the cookies rise and spread just right.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Nilla Wafer Cookies: Crushed into pieces for that classic banana pudding taste.
• White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy sweetness in every bite.

Variations for Banana Pudding Cookies

• Add Cream Cheese: Mix in 2 ounces of softened cream cheese for extra richness.
• Try Dark Chocolate: Swap white chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• Make Them Nutty: Add half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Extra Banana Flavor: Use banana extract along with vanilla extract.
• Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle cooled cookies with caramel sauce for a special touch.
• Mini Version: Make smaller cookies for bite-sized treats that bake in 8-10 minutes.

How to Make Banana Pudding Cookies Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Ingredients

Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. Mash your banana in a small bowl until mostly smooth. Crush the Nilla wafers into small pieces, not crumbs.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this bowl aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use your mixer to beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg yolk, mashed banana, and vanilla extract. Beat until everything combines smoothly.

5. Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until you see no more dry flour. Do not overmix.

6. Fold in Mix-Ins

Gently stir in the crushed Nilla wafers and white chocolate chips using a wooden spoon or spatula. Make sure they spread evenly throughout the dough.

7. Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step keeps the cookies from spreading too thin while baking.

8. Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. The centers may look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.

9. Cool Properly

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and Decoration

Serve these cookies on a pretty platter for parties or gatherings. They look beautiful stacked in a glass jar or cookie tin. For extra flair, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies in a zigzag pattern. You can also press a few extra white chocolate chips on top right after baking while they’re still warm. Serve with a cold glass of milk or alongside vanilla ice cream for a true dessert experience.

How to Serve Banana Pudding Cookies

These cookies work wonderfully in many settings:

• With Coffee or Tea: Perfect for afternoon snacks or morning treats.
• Dessert Boards: Add to a cookie platter with other flavors.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies.
• Lunch Boxes: Pack for school or work lunches.
• Gift Giving: Wrap in cellophane bags with ribbon for homemade gifts.

Storing Banana Pudding Cookies

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The pudding mix keeps them soft.

• Refrigerator: Keep cookies fresh for up to 1 week in a sealed container.
• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating.
• Cookie Dough: Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Use Ripe Bananas: Spotty bananas give the best flavor and sweetness.
• Don’t Skip Chilling: Cold dough prevents flat, greasy cookies.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and egg yolk mix more easily and create better texture.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Too much flour makes dry cookies.
• Watch Baking Time: Slightly underbaked cookies stay soft and chewy. They continue cooking on the hot pan after leaving the oven.
• Crush Wafers by Hand: Large pieces add more texture than fine crumbs.
• Test One Cookie First: Bake a single cookie to check your oven temperature and timing before baking the whole batch.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per Cookie (1 of 24)
Calories	165
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	5g
Cholesterol	25mg
Sodium	140mg
Total Carbohydrates	22g
Dietary Fiber	0.5g
Sugars	13g
Protein	2g

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Banana Pudding Cookies FAQs

Can I use a whole egg instead of just the yolk? Yes, but the cookies will be slightly more cakey. The yolk alone creates a denser, chewier texture.

What if my banana is not ripe enough? Place the banana in a paper bag for a day or two, or bake it in its peel at 300°F for 15 minutes until the skin turns black.

Can I make these without pudding mix? The pudding mix provides the signature texture and flavor. Without it, these become regular banana cookies.

Why did my cookies spread too much? Make sure you chill the dough and use room temperature (not melted) butter. Also check that your baking soda is fresh.

Can I add real banana pudding to the dough? This would make the dough too wet. Stick with the dry pudding mix for best results.

Conclusion

Banana Pudding Cookies Delight brings together everything people love about the classic Southern dessert in an easy-to-eat cookie form. The combination of real banana, vanilla pudding mix, crushed Nilla wafers, and white chocolate chips creates a treat that tastes amazing and stays soft for days. Whether you’re baking for a party, packing lunches, or just want something sweet, these cookies deliver comfort and flavor in every bite.