Ain't Your Mama's Banana Pudding Paula Deen

When it comes to Southern cooking, no one does it quite like Paula Deen. Her recipes are known for their rich, indulgent flavors and hearty portions. One of her most famous desserts is banana pudding - a classic Southern dish that has been enjoyed for generations. But Paula Deen's version of this dessert is far from traditional. In this article, we'll take a closer look at "Ain't Your Mama's Banana Pudding Paula Deen" and what makes it so special.

The History of Banana Pudding

First things first - let's talk about the history of banana pudding. This dessert has been around for well over a century, and its origins can be traced back to the American South. The first known recipe for banana pudding was published in the late 1800s, and it was a simple concoction of bananas, sugar, and vanilla wafers.

Over time, different variations of banana pudding emerged. Some cooks added whipped cream or meringue to the mix, while others used different ingredients like condensed milk or cream cheese. However, the core ingredients - bananas and vanilla wafers - remained the same.

What Makes Paula Deen's Banana Pudding Different

So, what sets Paula Deen's banana pudding apart from the rest? For starters, she uses a homemade vanilla custard instead of pudding mix. This gives the dessert a much richer, creamier texture than traditional banana pudding.

Deen also adds sour cream to the mix, which gives the pudding a tangy kick and helps to balance out the sweetness of the bananas and vanilla wafers. And instead of relying solely on vanilla wafers, she adds Chessmen cookies - a buttery shortbread cookie - to the mix for even more texture and flavor.

Finally, Deen tops off her banana pudding with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers. This gives the dessert an extra bit of decadence and makes it look as good as it tastes.

Related Banana

How to Make Paula Deen's Banana Pudding

If you're ready to try your hand at making "Ain't Your Mama's Banana Pudding Paula Deen," here's what you'll need:

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups milk
4 egg yolks, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (12-ounce) box Vanilla Wafers
6 ripe bananas, sliced
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Here's how to prepare Paula Deen's banana pudding:

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in milk and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
In a small bowl, beat egg yolks and gradually stir in 1 cup of hot mixture. Then, stir egg mixture back into remaining hot mixture in saucepan. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add cooled custard and sour cream and mix well.
To assemble the pudding, place a layer of vanilla wafers in the bottom of a large glass bowl. Top with a layer of sliced bananas, then a layer of the custard mixture. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of custard.
In a large bowl, beat heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over the top of the pudding.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Conclusion

Paula Deen's "Ain't Your Mama's Banana Pudding" is a modern twist on a classic Southern dessert. With its homemade custard, tangy sour cream, and buttery shortbread cookies, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Give Paula Deen's recipe a try and see for yourself why it's become such a beloved dish in kitchens across the country.