If you love classic banana pudding, these soft banana pudding cookies are about to become your new favorite dessert. Made with real banana, rich brown sugar, and topped with a creamy frosting and crunchy vanilla wafer crumbles, these cookies capture everything you love about the nostalgic Southern treat—just in a thick, bakery-style cookie form.
These Crumbl-inspired banana pudding cookies are soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and packed with warm banana flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking for family, a party, or just want something unique and comforting, this easy banana cookie recipe is guaranteed to stand out and impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Thick, bakery-style cookies
These banana pudding cookies bake up soft, tall, and perfectly thick—just like your favorite Crumbl-style treats. - Classic banana pudding flavor
Made with real banana and topped with vanilla wafer crumbles, every bite tastes like the nostalgic dessert you love. - Soft centers with creamy topping
Slightly gooey centers paired with smooth banana frosting create the perfect texture contrast. - Unique and eye-catching
These cookies stand out from typical chocolate chip recipes, making them perfect for sharing, parties, or content. - Easy to make at home
Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe beginner-friendly with bakery-quality results. - Customizable for different flavors
Add nuts, caramel, or extra wafer crunch to make them your own. - Perfect for any occasion
Great for holidays, family desserts, or whenever you want a cozy, comforting treat.
Crumbl Banana Pudding Cookies (Soft & Thick Copycat Recipe)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large cookie scoop (¼ cup)
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Banana Cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup mashed ripe banana measured, not heaping
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup white chocolate chips optional
- ⅓ cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies
Banana Cream Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½-1 teaspoon banana extract to taste
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Cream Butter & Sugars
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients
- Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and mashed banana until just combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix into wet ingredients until a thick dough forms.
- Fold in white chocolate chips and crushed vanilla wafers.
Chill Dough
- Cover and chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to prevent spreading.
Shape Cookies
- Scoop ¼ cup portions of dough, roll into balls, and gently flatten into thick discs.
- Place on a lined baking sheet with space between each cookie.
Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11–13 minutes, until edges are set and centers are soft.
Cool
- Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack before frosting.
Make Frosting
- Beat butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, banana extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
Assemble
- Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies.
- Top with additional crushed vanilla wafers.
- (Optional: drizzle melted white chocolate for a bakery-style finish.)
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best natural sweetness and strong banana pudding flavor
- Measure banana carefully — too much moisture can cause cookies to spread and become cakey
- Do not skip chilling the dough, as this helps create thick, bakery-style banana pudding cookies
- Slightly underbake the cookies for soft, gooey centers and that classic Crumbl-style texture
- Banana extract enhances flavor without adding extra liquid, making the cookies more rich and aromatic
- For a stronger banana pudding taste, add extra crushed vanilla wafers on top after frosting
- White chocolate chips are optional but add sweetness and a more indulgent bakery-style finish
- Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and keep the topping stable
- For best results, store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness and freshness
🍌 What Makes Banana Pudding Cookies Different?
Banana pudding cookies are more than just banana-flavored cookies—they’re inspired by the classic Southern dessert, which makes them completely unique compared to traditional cookie recipes.
🍪 Inspired by a Classic Dessert
Classic banana pudding is made with layers of vanilla wafers, creamy pudding, and fresh bananas. These cookies recreate that nostalgic flavor by combining real banana, smooth frosting, and crunchy vanilla wafer crumbles in every bite.
🍦 A Perfect Texture Combination
Unlike standard cookies that are simply chewy or crispy, banana pudding cookies offer a mix of textures:
- Soft, thick cookie base
- Creamy banana frosting
- Crunchy vanilla wafer topping
This creates a dessert that feels like a cross between a cookie and banana pudding.
🍌 Real Banana Flavor
These cookies use mashed ripe banana for a naturally sweet, rich flavor. For an extra boost, banana extract can be added to enhance that classic banana pudding taste without adding too much moisture.
🧁 Bakery-Style Thickness
Banana pudding cookies are thick, soft, and slightly cakey in the best way. They’re designed to mimic Crumbl-style cookies, giving them a more indulgent, bakery-quality feel than standard homemade cookies.
🥧 Different from Banana Cream Pie Cookies
While similar, banana pudding cookies are lighter and more nostalgic, focusing on vanilla wafer flavor and soft texture. Banana cream pie cookies, on the other hand, tend to be richer, with a more custard-like topping and a graham-style base.
💡 The Bottom Line
Banana pudding cookies stand out because they combine the comforting flavors of a classic dessert with the soft, thick texture of a bakery-style cookie—making them both familiar and completely unique.
🍪 How to Get Thick Crumbl-Style Cookies Every Time
Getting that signature thick, bakery-style cookie texture is key to making perfect banana pudding cookies. These simple tips will help you achieve soft centers and tall cookies every time.
✔️ Use a Large Scoop
Portioning the dough into large ¼ cup scoops creates thick cookies with soft, gooey centers instead of thin, crispy ones.
✔️ Chill the Dough
Chilling the dough for at least 20–30 minutes helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies tall and structured while baking.
✔️ Don’t Overbake
Remove the cookies when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
✔️ Measure Flour Correctly
Too little flour can cause flat cookies. Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping directly from the bag.
✔️ Keep Cookies Thick Before Baking
When shaping, avoid flattening the dough too much. Taller dough balls = thicker cookies.
✔️ Use Cornstarch for Softness
Cornstarch helps create that soft, tender texture that makes these cookies feel bakery-quality.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple cookie recipes can go wrong without the right technique. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your banana pudding cookies turn out thick, soft, and bakery-quality every time.
❌ Using Too Much Banana
Banana adds moisture, but too much can make cookies overly soft, cakey, or cause them to spread too much. Always measure carefully and avoid heaping amounts.
❌ Skipping the Chill Time
Chilling the dough is essential for thick cookies. If you skip this step, the cookies are more likely to spread and lose that Crumbl-style height.
❌ Overbaking the Cookies
These cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. Overbaking will make them dry instead of soft and gooey.
❌ Adding Too Many Mix-Ins
Too many white chocolate chips or vanilla wafer pieces can weigh down the dough and affect the final texture. Stick to the recommended amounts for best results.
❌ Not Measuring Flour Properly
Scooping flour directly from the bag can lead to using too much or too little. Spoon and level your flour for consistent, bakery-style cookies.
❌ Frosting While Cookies Are Warm
If the cookies aren’t fully cooled, the frosting will melt and slide off. Let cookies cool completely before adding frosting for the best presentation and texture.
🍌 Flavor Variations
One of the best things about banana pudding cookies is how easy they are to customize. Try these simple variations to create new flavors and make this recipe your own.
🍯 Banana Caramel Cookies
Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting or mix caramel chips into the dough for a rich, buttery twist.
🌰 Banana Nut Cookies
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for a classic banana bread-inspired flavor with extra crunch.
🍫 Chocolate Banana Cookies
Mix in semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a richer cookie that pairs perfectly with banana.
🍰 Banana Cheesecake Cookies
Add a small scoop of sweetened cream cheese filling to the center of each cookie before baking for a creamy, indulgent surprise.
🍪 Banana Pudding Stuffed Cookies
Stuff the cookies with a thick banana pudding filling to make them extra rich and bakery-style.
🍓 Strawberry Banana Cookies
Add freeze-dried strawberries or a light strawberry drizzle for a fruity twist that adds color and flavor.
🧊 Storage Instructions
Proper storage will keep your banana pudding cookies soft, fresh, and delicious for days.
🏠 Room Temperature
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. For best texture, keep them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper.
❄️ Refrigerator
Because of the frosting, you can refrigerate the cookies for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
🧊 Freezing Baked Cookies
Freeze unfrosted cookies in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost before serving.
🍪 Freezing Cookie Dough
Scoop and shape the dough into balls, then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
💡 Pro Tip
For the freshest taste, store cookies and frosting separately if making ahead, then assemble just before serving.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies without banana extract?
Yes, you can skip the banana extract. The cookies will still have banana flavor from the mashed banana, but the extract helps enhance and deepen that classic banana pudding taste.
Why are my cookies flat?
Flat cookies are usually caused by too much banana, not enough flour, or skipping the chill time. Make sure to measure carefully and chill the dough before baking.
Can I make smaller cookies instead of large ones?
Yes! You can use a smaller scoop and reduce the baking time to about 8–10 minutes. Keep in mind they won’t be as thick as Crumbl-style cookies.
Can I use real banana instead of extract in the frosting?
It’s not recommended. Real banana adds too much moisture and can make the frosting runny. Banana extract gives strong flavor without affecting texture.
Do I have to use vanilla wafers?
Vanilla wafers are key to the banana pudding flavor, but you can substitute with shortbread cookies or graham crackers if needed.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should be set while the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking or freeze it for longer storage.
How should I store leftover cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days due to the frosting.
🍪 More Crumbl-Style Cookies You’ll Love
If you love thick, bakery-style cookies like these banana pudding cookies, be sure to try some of my other Crumbl-inspired favorites packed with rich flavors and soft, gooey centers:
- 🍯 Crumbl Cinnamon Roll Cookies
https://sugarcloudbaking.com/2026/03/18/crumbl-cinnamon-roll-cookies-copycat-recipe/ - 🍑 Crumbl Peach Cobbler Cookies
https://sugarcloudbaking.com/2026/03/18/crumbl-peach-cobbler-cookies/ - 🍫 Crumbl French Silk Pie Cookies
https://sugarcloudbaking.com/2026/03/15/crumbl-french-silk-pie-cookies/ - 🍓 Crumbl Strawberry Milk Cookies
https://sugarcloudbaking.com/2026/03/17/crumbl-strawberry-milk-cookies/ - 🍪 Crumbl Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
https://sugarcloudbaking.com/2026/03/17/crumbl-oreo-cheesecake-cookies/
These recipes are perfect if you’re looking to recreate bakery-style cookies at home with unique flavors and soft, thick textures.
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