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Homemade Chunky Monkey clair Cake recipe photo

Chunky Monkey clair Cake

This Chunky Monkey clair Cake is a delightful blend of banana, chocolate, and peanut butter flavors—perfect for any gathering!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounce
  • 1.5 cups cold milk
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 container Cool Whip 8-oz, thawed
  • 27 squares graham cracker or 13 1/2 full sheets
  • 3 bananas sliced
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate 2 squares
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk more as needed
  • chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
  2. Once the pudding is thickened, gently fold in the creamy peanut butter until fully combined. Then, carefully fold in the thawed Cool Whip to create a light, fluffy filling.
  3. In your 9x13-inch baking dish, arrange a layer of graham cracker squares at the bottom. This will be the base of your cake.
  4. Spread half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers, followed by a layer of sliced bananas.
  5. Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the bananas, followed by the remaining pudding mixture. Top this with another layer of sliced bananas.
  6. Top the final layer of bananas with another layer of graham crackers, covering the surface of the cake.
  7. Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler. Once melted, mix in the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach a pourable consistency.
  8. Pour the chocolate mixture over the top layer of graham crackers, spreading it evenly to cover all the crackers.
  9. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the Chunky Monkey clair Cake for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This will allow the graham crackers to soften and the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, replace the peanut butter with sun butter or omit it entirely.
  • To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers.
  • Consider adding chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.