Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Banana Pudding

This week's chefs are Bobby and Jamie Deen, but since the Food Network site doesn't have any of their recipes we could choose on of Paula Deen's recipes instead. I needed something to take to the North American Women's Club potluck, and this banana pudding recipe was spot on.

Banana Pudding

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding
Courtesy of Paula Deen

* 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
* 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
* 2 cups milk
* 1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
* 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The Verdict: This is VERY good. Since I don't have easy access to Pepperidge Farm stuff, I used some coconut flavored biscuit cookies instead. If I make it again I'd just ditch the cookies because you don't really need them and it just makes it slightly harder to dish up. I do think that this would work really well in a graham cracker crust. I did use pudding mix, but it's a little hard to come by here and I don't see any reason that you couldn't just use the "vla" that you can buy in a carton here. I used real whipping cream and "Klop Fix" (by Dr Oetker) to keep it fluffy. I'll add this to my make-again file, but probably will only use it for very special occasions since it's so rich.

11 comments:

Mesina said...

Oooooh doesn't this just look scrummy!! I will have to try this one, although at the moment I am avoiding desserts like the plague since I just had my birthday and I think by the end of this week I will be hating sugar. Ok already I am hating sugar! (I have a sweet tooth, this is bad)
I always find some great inspiration from your site! As a fellow lover of cooking it's great to find new things to try. Currently I am on a mission to get a sour dough starter to keep a family tradition alive from my Step Dad (major influence)...here's to some luck with that! x

Grey said...

Where I grew up, this was called Sawdust Pudding and it was (and still is) my favorite. I wonder if the trouble you had with the cookies was because the recipe doesn't say how long to refrigerate it. A classic one's kept until the cookies soften up and turn cake-like, and if you try to eat it before that you get this delicious but weird combination of dry crunch and sweet, rich smooth. Try a light and crispy cookie, too. Chessmen seem too dense to soften well.

Sometimes I suspect Paul Deen is a yankee imposter.

The cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk are new to me, to. You can make it with just pudding made with fresh milk and the whipped cream and it'll be a lot lighter. A few berries don't hurt, either. ;)

Man, this brings back memories.

Oh, and that photo is beautiful!

Noodle said...

looks so yummy I wanted to lick the screan hehehe

Sarah said...

Ditto on everything above. This looks wonderful. I love banana pudding. It's added to my must-try list. As always, you take great food photography. Such a talent! Thanks for participating in FNCCC. Looking forward to seeing what dish you will make next!

4 Lettre Words said...

When I was reading the recipe I thought "a graham cracker crust would be yummy!" Too funny.

Gotta love that name for it!

Tam said...

Here in the South (Savannah GA home of Paula)banana pudding is found on every buffet bar and served at manny restaurants. Most often however you will find vanilla waffers at the bottom. I have had it with cream cheese and you are right it is very rich. I like it without cream cheese. I however love whipped topping folded in to the pudding mix. YOUR picture is great and captures the element of goodness that banana pudding IS!!!!

SnoWhite said...

Looks great!

Anonymous said...

Great mind think alike, I also made this recipe. But used the chessmen cookies and I must say they were delicious. Love your variation and being so creative with what you have available in the Netherlands.

But I think you could also use graham crackers!

Susie said...

That looks really good:-)

Anonymous said...

Banana pudding is one of my favorites. This looks SO delicious!

kimcox said...

I have made this recipe several times, it is so good! Always a favorite.

Just stopping by from SITS to say hi

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails