5-Layer Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie

For a decadent dessert, try this make-ahead pie with layers of banana, pudding, chocolate ganache, and cream cheese on a pretzel and cookie crust.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 316 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 6 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup crushed pretzels
• 4 ounces vanilla wafer cookies, or as needed
• 5 medium bananas, or more as needed
• 1 tablespoon grated semisweet chocolate, or to taste
• 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar
• 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Prepare crust: combine pretzels, cookies, and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended. Drizzle in melted butter slowly, and pulse to combine. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish.

Step 2

Prepare chocolate ganache: heat cream in the microwave in 1-minute increments until boiling. Add chocolate and whisk until combined and melted. Spread ganache over the crust and place in the refrigerator until needed.

Step 3

Prepare cream cheese layer: mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a small amount of cream in a bowl with a wire whisk to add air to the cream cheese. Add remaining cream and mix until well whipped; spread over the crust.

Step 4

Slice bananas lengthwise, then cut in half. Arrange over the cream cheese mixture and return to the refrigerator.

Step 5

Prepare pudding layer: Whisk milk and pudding mix in a bowl until pudding begins to set, 3 to 4 minutes. Spoon over the bananas and return to the refrigerator.

Step 6

Prepare topping: beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Add powdered sugar gradually, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. Spread on top of pudding layer and sprinkle with grated chocolate.

Step 7

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing and serving.