I watched Paula Deen make this Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding on her show a few years ago. Since then, it’s been included in one of her desserts cookbooks. I’ve been making it for years. My family and friends LOVE it.
It is a bit pricey to make as the Pepperidge Farms Chessmen Cookies are $3.49 a bag unless there’s a 2 for $5 sale, usually during the holidays!
I choose not to skimp or alter this recipe as it is perfect as is. But I suppose you could use less expensive shortbread cookies, use low fat cream cheese and 2% milk but that wouldn’t be good or Paula! I was surprised butter wasn’t in the recipe!
Recipe
Ingredients
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant Jello french vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container Cool Whip 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. (I prefer to do this step LAST as it keeps the bananas from turning brown. I don’t like adding lemon juice to them either. Yuck!)
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.
My family backstory about this banana pudding. I made this recipe and it was just about gone. My sister in law came over and was poking around looking for something to nibble on. She saw the pan of pudding and wanted to taste it. I told her I thought the bananas were too brown by then but she insisted. She fell in love with the flavor and wanted me to make one for an upcoming event at her job. Of course, it was the hit of the party. To this day, this is one of the most requested desserts that I make. The Hummingbird cake is first!
I decided to share this recipe so perhaps, they will now know how expensive it is to make and chip in on the ingredients!
Let me know if you make this delicious dessert!
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