Banana Pudding Cookies

Banana Pudding Cookies: A Southern Twist on a Classic Dessert

If you’re from the South—or just spent any time around a Southern family potluck—you know banana pudding isn’t just a dessert. It’s the dessert.

But every now and then, you need something a little easier to share than a pan of pudding layered with Nilla Wafers and sliced bananas.

That’s where these banana pudding cookies with white chocolate chips come in.

You may also like:

• Banana Pudding Cheesecake Ice Cream
• Banana Nut Muffins
• Banana Oat Pancakes
• Banana Bread with Pecans and Walnuts
• Instant Pot Caramel Pecan Banana Bread
• Strawberry Banana Cake
• Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins

What Are Banana Pudding Cookies?

Think of all the flavors you love about traditional banana pudding—ripe banana, vanilla, creamy sweetness—and roll that into a soft, chewy cookie.

These cookies are made with a banana pudding mix, which gives them that classic flavor without needing to pull out a trifle dish.

Add a mashed banana and a handful of white chocolate chips, and you’ve got a rich, moist cookie that’s every bit as satisfying as a bowl of pudding.

Who Will Love These Cookies?

These are perfect for banana pudding fans who want something portable, no-fuss, and still full of flavor.

Kids love the soft texture and sweet taste, and grown folks appreciate how these cookies manage to be both nostalgic and new.

If you’re cooking for a crowd, these are a good way to bring something familiar but unexpected to the table.

When to Make Banana Pudding Cookies

These are great for everything from family gatherings to bake sales, church potlucks, tailgates, and school functions.

They’re also a smart way to use up a ripe banana when you’ve already made your share of banana bread.

Around the holidays, swap out the chocolate chip cookies for these instead. They freeze well too, so they’re perfect for making ahead.

Where to Serve Them

Any place you’d serve banana pudding, you can serve these cookies. And since they’re handheld, they’re even easier to pass around at picnics, birthday parties, or baby showers.

Wrap them up in a cellophane bag with a ribbon, and you’ve got a great homemade gift.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Banana pudding cookies offer a shortcut to that old-fashioned flavor we love down here, without the need for a spoon.

You’re not just baking a cookie—you’re pulling together comfort and tradition in one bite. It’s a sweet way to keep Southern food traditions alive in a new form.

How to Serve Banana Pudding Cookies

These are great straight out of the oven, cooled, or even chilled in the fridge. Want to take it up a notch?

Sandwich a couple of cookies with vanilla ice cream in the middle for a banana pudding cookie ice cream sandwich.

You can even crumble them over vanilla pudding or a scoop of banana ice cream for a little extra crunch.

🍌 Creative Ways to Use or Serve Banana Pudding Cookies

Banana Pudding Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sandwich vanilla or banana ice cream between two cookies for a quick frozen treat.

Mini Banana Pudding Cookie Trifles
Layer crumbled cookies with whipped cream and sliced bananas in small mason jars or dessert cups.

Pack in School Lunches
A soft, homemade cookie with real banana makes a sweet surprise in a lunchbox.

Serve at a Southern Potluck or Church Gathering
These cookies travel well and offer a twist on a classic Southern dessert.

Holiday Cookie Trays
Add a few to your holiday dessert platters for something unexpected among the usual favorites.

Crumbled Over Pudding or Ice Cream
Use cookie crumbles as a topping for banana pudding, vanilla pudding, or even frozen yogurt.

After-School Snack for Kids
Pair a cookie with a glass of milk or chocolate milk for a quick and satisfying snack.

Gift Bags or Party Favors
Wrap two or three in clear treat bags and tie with ribbon for party favors or thank-you gifts.

Game Day Dessert Table
These are easy to grab and eat—perfect for tailgating or home-viewing spreads.

Freeze for Later
Make a double batch, freeze half, and enjoy fresh-tasting cookies anytime you need a quick treat.

Banana Pudding Cookies

Yield: 18 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 package of banana pudding Jello mix
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add in the mashed banana, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, banana pudding Jello mix, and baking soda.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.

Fold in the white chocolate chips.

Put some vegetable oil on your hands and form small balls, place them on a baking sheet about an inch apart.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious Banana Pudding Cookies!

Frequently Asked Questions about Banana Pudding Cookies

1. Can I use instant banana pudding mix in cookies?
Yes, instant banana pudding mix works perfectly in this cookie recipe. It adds flavor and helps make the cookies soft and chewy.

2. Do I need to prepare the pudding before adding it to the cookie dough?
No, you’ll add the dry pudding mix directly into the dough with the flour and baking soda. Don’t make the pudding according to the box instructions.

3. Can I freeze banana pudding cookie dough?
Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just add a minute or two to the baking time.

4. How long do banana pudding cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week.

5. Can I use banana extract instead of a ripe banana?
For the best flavor and texture, a ripe mashed banana is recommended. However, if you’re out of bananas, you can add a teaspoon of banana extract along with the pudding mix and adjust the flour slightly to compensate.

6. What can I substitute for white chocolate chips?
You can use milk chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even crushed vanilla wafers for a more classic banana pudding flavor twist.

7. Do these cookies taste like banana bread?
They’re softer and more cookie-like than banana bread, but you’ll get that familiar banana flavor, especially from the pudding mix and mashed banana.

8. Can I make these cookies without pudding mix?
The pudding mix is a key ingredient that gives the cookies their soft texture and signature flavor. Without it, the cookies will have a different taste and consistency.

9. How do I keep banana pudding cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted. Also, chilling the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking can help control spreading.

10. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just be aware that texture may vary slightly depending on the brand used.