Banana Pineapple Dessert

When I was very young, I remember my mom made this banana pineapple dessert.  But I don’t recall exactly where she got the recipe, except it was through a friend of hers. I also know that I loved it.  And then I started making it when I was old enough. 

Furthermore, there are several ways to make this recipe, as well as different fillings. And it’s a deceptively rich dessert with all of the layers: the bananas, pineapple, and chocolate.  So, if you have a sweet tooth, this is a very satisfying dessert.

Ingredients for Banana Pineapple Dessert:

• 1 box of Nilla wafers
• 1/2 stick of melted butter
• 3-4 bananas
• 8 oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), room temperature
• 1/4 c white sugar; 4 TBSP white sugar
• 1 can crushed pineapple (drained), reserving 1/3 of the can
• ~5.9 oz package (or family size) of instant chocolate pudding
• 2 c whipping cream
• 1/2 c chopped pecans or almonds
• 1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained

Instructions for crust:

• Crush Nilla wafers and combine with 1/2 stick melted butter
• Press wafer mixture firmly in bottom of 9X13 pan and chill in refrigerator for 10-15 mins

Instructions for banana layer:

• Slice bananas and add to crust layer
• Refrigerate pan with crust and bananas while preparing fillings

Instructions for pineapple layer:

• Mix cream cheese, remaining 1/2 c of butter, and remainder of sugar together with blender
• Add drained, crushed pineapple, and blend in thoroughly
• And then spread onto banana layer and refrigerate

Instructions for pudding layer:

• Prepare instant chocolate pudding according to directions
• Moreover, when it’s set-up, spread it onto pineapple layer and refrigerate

Instructions for final layer of banana pineapple dessert:

• With mixer, beat whipping cream and 4 TBSP white sugar until stiff peaks form
• Spread liberally onto chocolate pudding layer
• Top with chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, and remaining crushed pineapple
• Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight before serving