19 Recipes That Demonstrate Why Bananas Make the Best Desserts

updated May 19, 2023

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Credit: Faith Durand

Is there a more versatile and dessert-friendly fruit than bananas? From the simplest one-ingredient banana ice cream to banana pudding to lavish banana foster there are so many ways to spin this fruit into a fantastic dessert. Maybe banana cream pie isn’t your thing, but you are up for some Nutella banana bread, a caramel banana cake, or chocolate-covered frozen bananas.

From unexpectedly light treats to decadent cakes, bananas make some of the best desserts. Did we mention bananas make amazing ice cream? Here are 19 recipes that prove it.

A Bonanza of Banana Treats

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One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

This incredibly simple dessert demonstrates why bananas are so dang magical.

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5 Variations on the One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

We're talking peanut butter and honey, Nutella, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Dulce, and Strawberries and Cream

3 / 19

Classic Banana Pudding

Here's that perfect banana pudding you know you've been craving.

4 / 19

Caramel Banana Cake

The key to this rich, moist banana cake is the homemade caramel sauce that is swirled throughout.

5 / 19

Banana Pudding Ice Cream Pie

What if you could turn banana pudding into ice cream? Or pie? Even better, what if you could turn banana pudding into ice cream pie?

6 / 19

Grandbaby Cakes’ Banana Tarte Tatin

With a splash of rum, this dessert is the perfect marriage of NOLA and French vibes, the very definition of Creole influence.

7 / 19

Campfire Banana Boat Chocolate Caramel S'mores

Grab a spoon for these melty, gooey, hand-held campfire treats.

8 / 19

Ultra-Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

A scoop of sour cream gives this one-bowl banana bread that ultra-moist, slightly under-baked texture we all know and love.

9 / 19

Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

A simple recipe for homemade banana bread swirled with a generous amount of Nutella.

10 / 19

Banana Cream Pie Milkshake

When you're craving both banana cream pie and a milkshake — why choose?

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No-Bake Banana and Peanut Butter Caramel Icebox Cake Go to Recipe

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Banana Pudding Cookies

Nicely crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these cookies encompass the magic of that first bite of banana pudding in one easy-to-make treat.

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Banana Cream Pie

Making this pie ahead is a key component to getting it right because the chilling time is as much of an ingredient as the bananas or cream.

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This classic dessert is as much fun to prepare as it is to eat.

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Banana Pudding Cheesecake

This no-bake banana cheesecake employs a pastry chef's secret ingredient in order to achieve a firm, sliceable texture. Get ready to go in for second, third, fourth helpings.

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Upside-Down Banana Cake

An easy one-bowl cake with a big payoff.

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Nutty Banana Sheet Cake

A simple, flavorful way to serve dessert to a crowd.

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How To Make Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites

Make now and keep in the freezer for the next time you need a little treat.

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Easy Banana Pudding Cake

A simple layer cake recipe that captures all of the flavors, textures, and nostalgia of classic Southern banana pudding.

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