Thursday, November 29, 2012

Strawberry Banana Pudding

I know it has been a while but I am finally back and have some great recipes to share in the next few posts.  Today I wanted to share my take on Paula Deen's Not Yo Mommas Banana Pudding. 
You can find the orginal recipe here.  (Also sorry but I was sick and busy so I only took a few pictures, like 2, sorry.)


*Disclaimer*  If I haven't said it before or if this is your first time stopping by I am not a follow the recipe kind of girl.  I will follow the basics of it but always change it up and add to or take away.  I also am not a measurer.  I like to eye ball most of the things I add. With that said,  I will try my best to get you a close measurement but cooking is all about trying new things and blending new things together and well just having fun.  So have fun if you think it will work try it, the worst that can happen is it will be inedible.  :)

A friend at church made the original recipe and I tried it one night.  It was good but super sweet.  I could only eat a little of it but I liked it and well I wanted to make it for an upcoming dinner.  I knew the basic recipe was good but I needed to cut some of the sweetness out. 

I decided some strawberries would add some tang and that if I made my own whipped cream it would not be as sweet.  I also used less sweetened condensed milk and added some Greek yogurt.  I also used less pudding.

Not huge changes but it made a difference and what came about was great!  So here is my recipe.

Ingredients:
-2 boxes Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies
-2 cups of milk
-1 box 3.5oz of instant French vanilla pudding
-4 to 5 ripe bananas
-small bag of frozen sliced strawberries (thawed) (make sure no sugar has been added) *you can also use fresh I just didn't have any at the time
-8oz of cream chz (softened)
-small can of sweetened condensed milk (around 14 oz but you will use a little less)
-12 oz of heavy whipping cream (you can use cool whip if you want for ease I did once when I had no cream and it was still ok I just used less than the 12 oz)
-small container of plain greek yogurt (I used Oikos 5.3oz size and I actually ran out of the plain and used the strawberry this last time and it worked)

Ok line the bottom of a 13x9 pan with one bag of the chessman cookies.  Next top with sliced bananas and then add a layer of sliced strawberries on top. 


Then in a small bowl mix the milk and the pudding on medium for 2 minutes and set aside.  Now mix the cream chz with the condensed milk.  I used most of the can I just did not scrape the sides but most had come out. (sorry again that I can not be more specific) Blend it till it is nice and smooth then add in the yogurt and stir well.  Now whip the heavy cream in another bowl on high until peaks appear.  Mix the bowl of pudding with the cream chz mixture and then fold in the whipped cream. 

Now pour the mixture over the cookies, bananas, and strawberries.  You will have more filling than you need (even the original leaves you with extra) so you can save it to use as a dip for fruit or cookies or make another small dessert, but you would need more cookies, bananas, and strawberries.  Now top it with the other bag of cookies and allow it to chill in the refrigerator. 

Pretty and delicious!
 
Linking to some of these great parties!