Description
The King’s Banana Nut Crunch is a delightful layered dessert featuring ripe bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, crunchy nuts, and a buttery graham cracker topping baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make treat combines textures and flavors that make it an irresistible comfort dessert perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Nut Layers
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup vanilla pudding or custard
Crunchy Topping
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Optional
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the dessert evenly.
- Prepare Crunchy Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Stir well until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly coated with butter, forming the crunchy topping.
- Layer Bananas: Arrange half of the sliced bananas evenly in the base of a serving dish, creating the first layer of the dessert.
- Add Pudding: Spread half of the vanilla pudding gently over the banana slices to add creamy texture and sweetness.
- Sprinkle Nuts: Sprinkle half of the chopped walnuts or pecans over the pudding layer, adding crunch and nutty flavor.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering with the remaining bananas, vanilla pudding, and chopped nuts to build the dessert’s structure.
- Top with Crunch: Evenly distribute the prepared graham cracker crumb mixture over the top layer, forming the crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dessert to cool slightly before serving to let layers set. Optionally, top with whipped cream for added richness and presentation.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid overly mushy texture after baking.
- Walnuts or pecans can be substituted based on preference or availability.
- For a dairy-free version, use a non-dairy vanilla pudding and margarine instead of butter.
- Letting the dessert cool before serving improves flavor melding and texture.
- Add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top for a more decadent experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
