Paula Deen's Recipe For Banana Pudding
When it comes to comfort food, few desserts can hold a candle to good old fashioned banana pudding. This sweet and creamy classic is a staple at picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings across the United States, and for good reason. It's simple, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at what you'll need to make Paula Deen's famous banana pudding:
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups ice cold water
- 1 3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 box of vanilla wafers
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
As you can see, the ingredient list is short and sweet. You probably have most of these items in your pantry already!
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go, it's time to start making the pudding. Here's what you'll need to do:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and ice cold water until well combined.
- Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until it is well combined.
- To assemble the banana pudding, start by placing a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas on top of the wafers.
- Cover the bananas with a layer of the pudding mixture, making sure to spread it evenly.
- Repeat this layering process until you have used all of the ingredients, making sure to end with a layer of pudding on top.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This will help the flavors meld together and make the pudding even more delicious.
Variations
While Paula Deen's recipe is certainly delicious, there are plenty of ways to put your own spin on this classic dessert. Here are a few variations to try:
- Swap out the vanilla pudding for chocolate or banana pudding to give your dessert a different flavor profile.
- Use different types of cookies, like graham crackers or shortbread, instead of vanilla wafers.
- Add in some extra toppings, like whipped cream, caramel sauce, or chopped nuts, to take your banana pudding to the next level.
Get creative with your banana pudding and see what new flavors and combinations you can come up with!
Conclusion
Paula Deen's recipe for banana pudding is a classic for a reason. It's sweet, creamy, and oh-so-comforting - the perfect dessert to share with friends and family. Whether you stick to the original recipe or put your own twist on it, you can't go wrong with this delicious treat.