Banana Pudding

Let me first clarify that I don’t like banana pudding. I know, I know that a good Southern girl should like it, but I just don’t. For the record, I don’t like sweet tea or watermelon, either.

So, how is it that I’m sharing this recipe with you? I probably wouldn’t be if not for a friend and former co-worker who introduced me to it. She just swore that I would like it, despite my dislike of banana pudding in general.

And, oh, was she right! This tastes unlike any banana pudding you’ve ever eaten. I figure that has a lot to do with the cream cheese. How can you go wrong with cream cheese? Of course, the recipe comes from Paula Deen, too, and she seems to know her desserts.

My sister requested that I make this banana pudding for our Easter dinner, and that was enthusiastically seconded by my daddy. We returned from Quinn’s business trip to New York on Friday night. After I worked on Saturday, I was very glad that my contribution was going to be this simple dessert. I did also make another batch of Black & White Cupcakes, because I felt the need for some chocolate at the table. I got those into the oven and had the banana pudding made before the cupcakes were done.

I have made this dessert many times, but I’ve somehow never shared it with you. It’s beyond simple. In fact, I feel a little guilty making it because the hardest thing I have to do is clean up the three or four bowls I manage to use in making it.

I sometimes feel a bit guilty about making it because it’s really just assembly. The cookies are store-bought. The pudding comes from a mix. The whipped cream is frozen. However, there is certainly something to be said for a delicious dessert that’s quick and easy.

Banana Pudding

Yield: 15 to 20 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

This Banana Pudding strays from the ordinary with a creamy filling made with cream cheese, whipped cream, and pudding.

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies
• 6 to 8 bananas sliced*
• 2 cups milk
• 1 5-ounce box instant French vanilla pudding**
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 12 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

1. Line the bottom of a 13″x 9″x 2″dish with 1 bag of cookies. Place the bananas on top.
2. Blend the milk with the pudding mix.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and condensed milk together until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Add this mixture to the pudding and stir until blended. Pour over bananas.
4. Cover the top with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until serving.

Notes:

*I usually use 2-3 bananas sliced very thinly. If you’re a big banana fan, though, you may want to use more.

**I’ve never found this size box at my grocery store. I only find the 3+ ounce size and use 1 & 1/2 boxes for the recipe.

Recipe slightly adapted from The Lady & Sons Just Desserts.

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