Description
Paula Deen’s not yo’ mama’s banana pudding delivers Southern comfort in a creamy, dreamy dessert. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and luscious pudding create a nostalgic treat that will transport you straight to a warm kitchen filled with love and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
- 2 bags chessmen cookies
- 2 cups milk
Dairy and Cream Ingredients:
- 1 (12-ounce/340 grams) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream
- 1 (14-ounce/397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8-ounce/226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
Flavor and Thickening Ingredient:
- 1 (5-ounce/142 grams) box instant French vanilla pudding mix
Instructions
- Prepare the base by arranging a uniform layer of vanilla wafer cookies across the entire bottom of a 33x23x5-centimeter (13x9x2-inch) rectangular baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Create a vibrant fruit foundation by evenly distributing sliced ripe bananas over the cookie layer, overlapping slightly to maximize fruit coverage.
- Craft the pudding mixture by whisking milk and instant vanilla pudding mix using an electric hand mixer until the consistency becomes smooth and free of lumps, approximately 2 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture with no visible cream cheese chunks.
- Gently incorporate whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, folding carefully to maintain the light, airy structure and prevent deflation.
- Merge the pudding and cream cheese mixtures, stirring delicately until completely integrated, creating a rich, creamy filling with a uniform color and consistency.
- Carefully pour the combined mixture over the banana and cookie base, using a spatula to spread evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
- Complete the dessert by artfully arranging the remaining vanilla wafer cookies on top, creating an attractive, slightly overlapping pattern that covers the entire pudding surface.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 3-4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and achieve optimal set and chill.
Notes
- Ripe bananas unlock the pudding’s natural sweetness, so select slightly soft fruits with deep yellow peels and small brown speckles.
- Gentle folding technique prevents deflating the whipped topping, creating a cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth.
- Overnight chilling allows flavors to marry perfectly, transforming simple ingredients into a dreamy dessert experience.
- Consistent layering guarantees each spoonful delivers a harmonious blend of creamy filling, tender bananas, and crisp cookie crunch.
- Quick serving after chilling maintains the dessert’s ideal texture, preventing soggy cookies and preserving the delightful contrast between layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 416 kcal
- Sugar: 39.7 g
- Sodium: 455.6 mg
- Fat: 13.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 67.1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 8.1 g
- Cholesterol: 52.4 mg