Strawberry Banana Pudding Cookies

If you have been searching for a showstopping dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summer picnics and classic comfort food, these Strawberry Banana Pudding Cookies are an absolute dream come true. This recipe fuses the creamy, nostalgic magic of Southern banana pudding with the bright, vibrant sweetness of fresh strawberries, all packed into a massive, bakery-style cookie. With a gorgeous pink and yellow marble swirl, chunks of white chocolate, and a crunch from crushed Nilla Wafers, these cookies look just as stunning as they taste.

The brilliance of this recipe comes down to using genuine instant pudding mix right in the dough, which yields an incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that stays pillowy for days. To keep these cookies balanced, the base dough is formulated with a controlled amount of sugar so that the distinct fruity flavors of banana and strawberry aren’t overpowered by simple sweetness. Whether you are baking a fresh batch for a weekend gathering or looking to create the next viral hit on your social media channels, this unique combination is guaranteed to satisfy every single craving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

 Incredibly Soft Pudding Texture: Adding instant pudding mix into the dough ensures a uniquely soft, thick, and chewy texture that won’t dry out.

 Stunning Marbled Vibe: The dual-dough swirl of pastel pink strawberry and warm banana creates a gorgeous aesthetic right out of the oven.

 The Ultimate Crunch Mix-In: Packed with chunks of white chocolate chips and real Nilla Wafers to mimic a classic banana pudding layer.

Ingredients

For the Banana Dough

•  1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
•  1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
•  1/2 cup light brown sugar (105g)
•  1 large egg, room temperature
•  1 tsp vanilla extract (5ml)
•  1 package (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding mix (96g)
•  1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (188g)
•  1/2 tsp baking soda (3g)
•  1/2 tsp salt (3g)
•  1/2 cup Nilla Wafers, coarsely chopped (40g)
•  1/2 cup white chocolate chips (90g)

For the Strawberry Dough Base

•  1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
•  1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
•  1/2 cup light brown sugar (105g)
•  1 large egg, room temperature
•  1 tsp vanilla extract (5ml)
•  1 package (3.4 oz) instant strawberry pudding mix (96g)
•  1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (188g)
•  1/2 tsp baking soda (3g)
•  1/2 tsp salt (3g)
•  1/2 cup white chocolate chips (90g)
•  Optional: A tiny drop of pink gel food coloring for a brighter pink hue

For the Drizzle & Topping

•  1/2 cup powdered sugar (approx. 60g)
•  1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (15–30ml)
•  2 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into dust (approx. 5g)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whip Up the Banana Dough

1.) In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.

2.) Add the room-temperature egg and vanilla extract, mixing until completely combined.

3.) Turn the mixer to low and add the dry instant banana pudding mix, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until a soft dough forms.

4.) Gently fold in the coarsely chopped Nilla Wafers and white chocolate chips with a spatula. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl and set aside.

2. Whip Up the Strawberry Dough

1.) Clean your mixer bowl or grab a new bowl, then repeat the creaming process using the strawberry dough ingredients: beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until fluffy.

2.) Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

3.) Add the instant strawberry pudding mix, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing until a smooth dough forms. (Note: If you want a punchier pastel look to match your aesthetic, add a tiny drop of pink gel food coloring here).

4.) Fold in the white chocolate chips.

3. Marble, Shape, and Bake

1.) Scoop out a small portion of banana dough and an equal portion of strawberry dough (about 1.5 oz / 42g of each flavor).

2.) Press the two flavors gently together and lightly roll them between your palms to create a beautiful marbling effect without blending the colors completely. The total size of each cookie dough ball should be roughly 3 oz (85g).

3.) Place the marbled dough balls spaced evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4.) Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. They will look soft and slightly puffy in the center.

5.) Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Glaze and Glitz

1.) Whisk the powdered sugar and heavy cream together in a small bowl until a thick, opaque glaze forms.

2.) Use a spoon or a small piping bag to zig-zag a beautiful glaze drizzle over the cooled cookies.

3. Immediately sprinkle the crushed freeze-dried strawberry dust over the wet glaze for a stunning pop of color and an extra burst of tart strawberry flavor!

Tips for Success

 Use Instant Pudding Only: Make sure you purchase instant pudding mix and not the “cook and serve” kind. The instant starch structure is what binds with the moisture in the butter to keep these cookies exceptionally soft.

 Keep the Nilla Wafers Chunky: When chopping your Nilla Wafers, keep them in distinct pieces rather than crushing them to dust. This ensures you get a delightful crunch in every bite that contrasts beautifully with the soft dough.

 Don’t Over-Bake: Pudding cookies do not darken as much as traditional cookies on top. Take them out right at the 10-to-12-minute mark when the edges are set; they will continue to firm up perfectly as they cool on the hot pan.

Storage & Freshness

 To Store: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Because they contain pudding mix, they hold onto their moisture exceptionally well and stay soft much longer than average cookies.

 Freezing: You can freeze the baked, un-glazed cookies for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature, then mix up a fresh batch of glaze and strawberry dust to finish them off so they look pristine!

My favorite strawberry baking powder, strawberry emulsion, food colorings, self-sealing cookie bags and tons of other items I use to bake with is linked for you on my Amazon Storefront!