Banana Cream Pie

Image Courtesy of Google

Would it be stalker-ish of me to talk some more about Paula Deen. Because as you may recall, I love her. Seriously if I was ever to have another baby (never) and use lamaze (even far far more unlikely) a picture of her would be my happy place focal point. In the middle of any freak-out, she is very calming to me. Last week I was in the midst of a full blown panic attack when I was in the craft store. Now why exactly I was in the craft store is a mystery as I don't do anything crafty and yet, there I was, wild child in tow, hyperventilating and freaking out over the sheer amount of Christmas la la palooza that was everywhere. I tried to calm myself with this little phrase, "It's August, there's plenty of time." But every year I say that and every year I run out of time and do about one tenth of what I set out to do.

As I tried to ignore the holly leaves and ho ho ho-ing, I looked up and there she was. Like a beacon of calm - Paula, on the cover of some holiday baking magazine. I tried to resist it, but she beckoned to me to come in, take a peak. And so I did. I have ten words for you. Gingerbread Cake, Cream Brullee Filling & Scotch Whiskey Buttercream Frosting.  Could she get any more genius? I mean, really. I don't even care for gingerbread and I want that cake.  

Whenever I need to make a dessert, I check Paula first. She has never let me down. One of her standards that is an absolute favorite of mine is her "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding" which you can find here.  Can I just point out here that the "not yo' mama's" part of the name is all hers.  I am in no way comparing this recipe to my mother's banana pudding.  Nor am I implying that hers was not good or that mine is better. Additionally, I would never say "yo'" as I just can't pull that off. Any issues with the name of this recipe are outside of my scope.

So the other day, I was taking a meal to a friend who is recuperating.  Let me give you a hint when you do that.  Don't take plates that have to be returned, okay? No matter how green you are in your own home, break down and buy disposable and plan your meal to work with that.  I wanted to take my friend Ms. Paula's pudding but couldn't find a suitable disposable dish to take it in.  So you know what I did?  I bought a graham cracker crust and poured the pudding in there.  Garnished it with some peanut butter chips and chocolate chips and there it was.  Sure I missed the Chessman cookies as they are so good.  But this was a really easy and disposable (and a bit cheaper, too) way to make this dessert.  Oh and it makes TWO pies - so one for your friend and one for you!

Banana Pudding Pie

Adapted from Paula Deen

2 graham cracker crusts

1 5 oz box instant vanilla pudding

2 cups of milk

8 oz cream cheese, softened

14 oz condensed milk

6 bananas, sliced

12 oz frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)

Slice the bananas and put half in the bottom of each pie crust.

In bowl, combine milk and pudding and mix well. Set aside.  In second bowl, combine cream cheese and condensed milk and blend well.  Fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture.  Spread over bananas in each pie plate and refrigerate.

Garnish as you like - I did one with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips and one with whipped cream and almonds.  Caramel would be divine.....

Enjoy!