Banana Pudding Cupcakes
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy here.
These Banana Pudding Cupcakes take all that Southern comfort and tuck it into a fluffy, handheld treat. The best part is since you use box cake mix and a few other shortcuts they are easy to make. They’re sweet, nostalgic, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering.
I am a fan of delicious banana pudding, so I love to make new recipes featuring it. Two favorites are my Banana Pudding Brownies and me Banana Pudding Cheesecake.
Why this Banana Pudding Cupcake Recipe Works
These Banana Pudding Cupcakes are a keeper because they take everything you love about classic banana pudding.. The whole recipe comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s the kind of dessert that feels special without being fussy, and once you make them, they instantly earn a spot in your regular rotation.
- Classic Banana Pudding Flavor in Cupcake Form: You get the creamy pudding center, the soft banana cake, and the nostalgic vanilla wafer crunch all in one bite.
- Moist, Tender Crumb: Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, keeping the cupcakes soft without needing extra fuss.
- Make‑Ahead Friendly: The pudding and whipped topping can be prepped in advance, making these ideal for parties or busy days.
- Crowd Pleasing and Portable: All the comfort of banana pudding without the scooping, layering, or serving dishes. Swap toppings, add caramel, or fold in extra banana slices to make them your own. I love serving with Mini Banana Bread Muffins and Ham and Cheese Quiche.
How Can I Add More Banana Flavor to these Banana Pusing Cupcakes?
You can add more banana flavor by using a banana extract, Or you can make an adult version by using a banana liqueur boost, add 1–2 teaspoons to your pudding for a grown‑up, deeper banana flavor.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“These cupcakes were delicious! The cake was light and tender and the cupcakes really did bring home all the best memories of banana pudding. Plus, they looked so good. I got lots of ooohs and aaahs.”
~ Nay
Ingredient Notes for Cake Mix Banana Cupcakes
Only a few ingredients will allow you to make a decadent southern inspired dessert in only a few minutes. People will be amazed at this exceptional dessert.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Yellow Cake Mix: I use a Duncan Hines Yellow Box cake mix.
- French Vanilla Pudding Mix: Use an Instant vanilla pudding mix for this delicious cupcake. Or if you are love banana pudding, try using instant banana pudding.
- Vanilla Wafers: For crunch and also for decorating. You will also need mini vanilla wafers.
Variations and Substitutions for Delicious Banana Cupcakes and Frosting
You can use a classic cream cheese frosting or a dollop of cool whip whip frosting for this easy and delicious banana pudding cupcake recipe.
➡️ Cake Mix: Swap yellow cake mix for white, vanilla, or even banana cake mix for extra banana flavor to the cake batter. Even use chocolate for a banana chocolate cupcake.
➡️Pudding Mix: Use instant banana pudding instead of French vanilla for a stronger banana profile. Any instant pudding flavor works here. Or make a homemade pudding for the creamy banana pudding cupcakes.
➡️Butter: A vegan butter alternative works if you need a dairy‑free option.
➡️Vanilla Wafers: Replace with shortbread cookies for a richer, buttery crunch.
➡️Mix‑Ins: Fold in chocolate chips, chopped cherries, or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
➡️Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the classic banana‑pudding flavor.
Special Equipment Needed/Kitchen Tools To Make It Easier
You will need the standard equipment, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons and a hand mixer.
- Cupcake Pan: A standard muffin/cupcake pan will work for the cupcakes.
- Icing Bag and Star Tip: Include at least 1 full sentence why you need this.
- Cupcake Liners: Add some fun banana cupcake liners with these fun toppers.
How to Make this Banana Cupcakes Recipe
These delicious Banana Pudding Cupcakes are a semi homemade cupcake made with banana pudding and topped with a tasty frosting.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix the Batter with the Pudding Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray or line two standard muffin tins. In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, pudding mix, and ¾ cup of the crushed vanilla wafers.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Mix in the water, oil, mashed fresh bananas, and eggs. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat on medium until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Fill, Bake and Allow Cupcakes Cool: Divide the batter between the muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full. Sprinkle a little of the remaining crushed wafers on top. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting Recipe & Decorate with a Banana Slice and Vanilla Wafer: Beat the butter until light and fluffy, then slowly add the powdered sugar, alternating with the vanilla and a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk between each addition. Mix until creamy. Fill a piping bag, frost the cupcakes, and finish with crushed wafers and a mini vanilla wafer on top.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips to Make the Cupcakes
These cupcakes can be made the day before. You can also prep the frosting in advance.
➡️ Bake the cupcakes a day ahead: Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temp (unfilled) or in the fridge (if already filled). They stay soft and moist and are even easier to fill the next day.
➡️ Use silicone liners for easy release: They peel off cleanly and save you from dealing with stuck paper liners
➡️Caramelized Banana Topping: Quickly sauté banana slices in butter add brown sugar and place one on top of each cupcake before frosting. Adds a warm, caramel‑banana note.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Layer Cake or Cream Cheese Frosting
You can make this recipe for banana pudding cupcakes several different and innovative ways.
- Air Fryer Cupcakes: Great for small batches or when you don’t want to heat the oven.
- Instant Pot (Steam Method): Perfect when you want ultra moist banana cupcakes.Use silicone cupcake molds. Add 1 cup water to the pot and place molds on the trivet. Steam the cupcake batter on High Pressure for 8 minutes, then quick release.
- Mini Cupcake Variation (Any Method Above): These easy banana cupcakes are the perfect bite size treat. Reduce bake time to 8–10 minutes.
- Layer Cake: Make a Layer cake instead of cupcakes.
Can I Fill These Banana Cupcakes with Banana Pudding?
Of course, cool the cupcakes completely. Make the pudding. Cut a small well in the center of each cupcake. Don’t cut too deep, only about halfway down is perfect. Spoon or pipe your banana pudding into the cavity. Once filled with banana pudding, frost the cupcakes and decorate.
How to Store and Use Leftover Banana Cream Cupcakes
Because these cupcakes contain pudding and whipped topping, they’re best kept chilled.
- Storing: Refrigerate. Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Keep them in a single layer so the frosting doesn’t get smushed.
- Freeze: Freeze baked, unfilled cupcakes for up to 2 months. Wrap each cupcake in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw at room temperature, then fill and frost fresh.
- Using Leftovers: Use in a layered parfait, make into cake pops or add as a topper for ice cream.
Expert Tips for Making Vanilla Wafer Banana Cupcakes
You can finish your cupcakes with a slice of banana or other crushed cookies.
➡️Use room‑temperature ingredients: Cold eggs or butter cause uneven mixing and tunneling in the crumb. Room‑temp ingredients blend smoothly, giving you a soft, even cupcake.
➡️ Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until the dry ingredients disappear. Overmixing activates gluten and makes cupcakes dense instead of tender.
➡️ Fill liners only ½–⅔ full: This gives you the perfect dome without overflow. Overfilled liners spill, sink, or bake unevenly.
➡️ Keep wafers crisp: If you want crunch, add crushed wafers on top right before serving. Inside the cupcake, wafers will soften (which some people love), so choose based on the texture you want.
We Recommend You Try These
Banana Pudding Dessert Cupcake
Equipment
- Cupcake Baking Pan
- Cupcake Liners
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 15.25 ounce Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 cup Vanilla Wafers, crushed
- ¼ cup French vanilla pudding mix
- ¾ cup Water
- ⅓ cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 2 Bananas, large, mashed
Frosting
- 1 ½ cups Salted Butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- ¼ cup Vanilla Wafers, crushed
- 24 Mini-vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line two standard muffin tins.
- In a large mixing bowl filled with the cake mix, whisk in the pudding mix and ¾ cup of the crushed vanilla wafers.
- Add in the water, oil, mashed bananas, and eggs. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix on medium until well incorporated.
- Add batter into the muffin tins until each is about 2/3 full. Sprinkle a bit of the remaining crushed vanilla wafers on top. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Directions for Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy.
- Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while adding in the vanilla, and a tablespoon of the sweetened condensed milk in between each cup. Continue to mix for 1 minute or until creamy.
- Prepare piping bag and fill bag with frosting. Frost your cupcakes. Top with a bit of the crushed vanilla wafers. Garnish with one mini-vanilla wafer. Enjoy!
Christina’s Notes
- Add Chocolate: Drizzle cupcakes with white chocolate or dark chocolate.
- Variation tip: Chocolate chips or chopped cherries can be added to this homemade cupcake. Chopped nuts are also wonderful.
- Shortbread Cookies: Try using shortbread cookies in place of the vanilla wafers in these delicious cupcakes.
- Vanilla Extract: This classic dessert can be enhanced with the addition of a little extract.
- Decorate: A slice of banana or banana chips can be added to the top of the cupcakes before serving.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
Unfortunately, we are not experts in dairy free baking. You will need to consult a website that specializes in that dietary niche.
Thanks a lot for this fantastic recipe, it’s really delicious and super easy to make! Will surely have this again. Highly recommended!
These were delicious! Full of sweet banana flavor!
Can you use instant vanilla pudding or use the regular kind?
Instant pudding
These cupcakes were delicious! The cake was light and tender and the cupcakes really did bring home all the best memories of banana pudding. Plus, they looked so good. I got lots of ooohs and aaahs.
Absolutely amazing flavor! First time making banana pudding cupcakes and couldn’t have found a better recipe than this one.
How much vanilla is supposed to be added to the frosting? It’s in the instructions but not in the recipe itself.
Does the icing require vanilla extract ??
You can add some if you like.