Layers of silky banana custard, rich cocoa sponge, and a whipped cream cloud—this Banana Chocolate Trifle is like an English dessert classic detouring through a tropical café. Inspired by the layered desserts of Italy and the relaxed sweetness of the American South, it’s indulgent without being fussy.
The chocolate sponge borrows its depth from a French-style genoise, but I fold in mashed ripe bananas for a Caribbean twist. It’s a dessert built on contrasts: light and dense, airy and creamy—yet it comes together with remarkable ease.
I first tasted a version of this trifle in a small café in Lisbon, where the owner added a touch of rum to her custard. That hint of wanderlust stuck with me, and now I keep this recipe as my go-to when I need something both familiar and transportive.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
- I first made this trifle on a rainy weekend, and it turned into my ultimate “dessert therapy”—a feel-good treat with nostalgic vibes and a touch of elegance.
- It’s become my no-fail solution for dinner parties; guests love how it tastes like banana pudding that grew up and traveled the world.
- Over time, I’ve swapped in dark chocolate shards, used store-bought sponge for speed, and even layered it in jars for picnics—flexible, yet still indulgent.
- Surprisingly, this dessert helps me stay on track with moderation—I portion it in small glasses so I can enjoy a rich, satisfying taste without going overboard.
- And honestly? It just tastes good—creamy, dreamy, and balanced with just the right hit of bittersweet chocolate.
Banana Chocolate Trifle Recipe
Layers of rich chocolate ganache, creamy banana pudding, fresh bananas, and buttery graham crackers come together in this indulgent trifle. Sweet, smooth, and satisfyingly crunchy, it's a showstopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for any gathering or celebration.
Equipment
- Food Chopper
- Bamboo Fiber Mixing Bowls (small, medium, large)
- Small Batter Bowl
- Juicer
- Paring Knife
- Egg Slicer Plus®
- Small Mix ‘N Scraper®
Ingredients
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- 4 large bananas
- 1 lemon
- 1 container of frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
- 8 whole graham crackers
- 1 cup milk
- 1 pkg banana cream or vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
Instructions
- Finely chop half of a graham cracker using a food chopper and set it aside.
- Coarsely crumble the remaining graham crackers into a small mixing bowl.
- For the ganache, place chocolate morsels and 1½ cups (375 mL) of the whipped topping into a small batter bowl, then microwave on HIGH for 45–60 seconds or until smooth, stirring every 15 seconds.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding or pie filling and milk until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Fold in the remaining whipped topping with a small scraper and set the mixture aside.
- Juice a lemon using a juicer to measure 2 tablespoons (30 mL).
- Peel the bananas, cut them into 1½-inch (4-cm) pieces with a paring knife, then slice them using an egg slicer into a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the lemon juice and gently toss the bananas; reserve 12 slices for garnish.
- To assemble, layer half of the crumbled graham crackers at the bottom of a trifle bowl, then layer half of the bananas, followed by one-third of the ganache.
- Spread half of the banana filling evenly over the ganache.
- Repeat the layers once more.
- Decorate the top with the remaining ganache, sprinkle with the finely chopped graham cracker.
- Arrange the reserved banana slices around the edge of the trifle.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and a softer texture that blends beautifully with the pudding.
- Add a pinch of salt to the ganache while melting for enhanced chocolate flavor.
- If you don’t have an egg slicer, slice the bananas evenly with a sharp knife to maintain consistency.
| Nutrition | Value |
| Calories | 240kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Fibre | 2g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Protein | 3g |
Tips To Ease Your Job!
- Pre-measure ingredients before starting—having everything ready saves time and keeps the process smooth.
- Use store-bought whipped topping and instant pudding to cut down prep time without compromising flavor.
- Chill mixing bowls before whipping or folding in toppings to help the mixture stay light and fluffy.
- Layer with a spoon or piping bag for clean, defined layers and a more professional-looking trifle.
