When it comes to desserts, I have a gigantic homing device that sends me to the chocolate choices. Our family's favorite Christmas cookie (which I'll share later) features delectable semi-sweet goodness. Actually, our favorite desserts anytime always have chocolate in them. One recipe didn't start out with chocolate chips in it, but I figured cookies that were yummy before Nestle's would have to be even better after it--and they were. I'm nothing if not loyal.
Then Paula introduced me to her banana pudding.
It was love at first spoonful.
Not a chocolate chip in sight: just pudding, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies.
And bananas. Let's not forget them, extraneous though they are. They raise the nutrition factor.
This just gets better as time go by, so be sure to eat lots of oat bran and broccoli and tangerines on the day you prepare it. Then you'll feel less guilty about wallowing in the fluffy, creamy richness the next day.
Break out your wallet and your aerobics DVD and gather these ingredients:
Paula Deen's Banana Pudding (from the Lady and Sons Just Desserts Cookbook)
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessman Cookies
6 to 8 bananas
2 cups milk
1 5 oz box instant French vanilla pudding
1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 12 oz container frozen whipped topping, or an equal amount of sweetened whipped cream
Line the bottom of a 13x9 inch dish with one bag of the cookies and put the bananas on top. Blend milk with pudding mix well with a handheld electric mixer. Beat cream cheese and condensed milk together in a bowl until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Add to pudding mixture, stirring until well blended. Pour mixture over cookies and bananas; cover with remaining cookies. Refrigerate.
I mustn't neglect to say that my sister also prepared an amazing chocolate raspberry bar at Thanksgiving as well, which would have won hands down had it been competing against any other challenger. I wouldn't want you to think I turned away chocolate completely.
Alas, there is not a single Christmas treat, chocolate or otherwise, at my house right now. (There are also no Christmas decorations yet, though I plan to remedy that this weekend.) I have, however, sent two kids to the principal's office so far, and I've only been at work three days. Maybe I need a little sweetening up. ;-)
Blessings,
Ginger
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessman Cookies
6 to 8 bananas
2 cups milk
1 5 oz box instant French vanilla pudding
1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 12 oz container frozen whipped topping, or an equal amount of sweetened whipped cream
Line the bottom of a 13x9 inch dish with one bag of the cookies and put the bananas on top. Blend milk with pudding mix well with a handheld electric mixer. Beat cream cheese and condensed milk together in a bowl until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Add to pudding mixture, stirring until well blended. Pour mixture over cookies and bananas; cover with remaining cookies. Refrigerate.
I mustn't neglect to say that my sister also prepared an amazing chocolate raspberry bar at Thanksgiving as well, which would have won hands down had it been competing against any other challenger. I wouldn't want you to think I turned away chocolate completely.
Alas, there is not a single Christmas treat, chocolate or otherwise, at my house right now. (There are also no Christmas decorations yet, though I plan to remedy that this weekend.) I have, however, sent two kids to the principal's office so far, and I've only been at work three days. Maybe I need a little sweetening up. ;-)
Blessings,
Ginger
Sounds like you are making an impression at work. Good for you. At least they will know that you are a force to be reckoned with.
ReplyDeleteI am not much of a chocolate fan, but now the banana pudding recipe is very tempting. Maybe I'll try it.
Hop over to The Point and enter my Christmas giveaway.
Leah
Hi!!
ReplyDeleteGood meeting you on my blog. Had to come over and check your's out. Love the banana pudding recipe...quite tempting I must say. Like you, I have to have chocolate. I am a chocolate chip cookie junky. That is my weakness in life. ...well, there are other but...
Be sure and post pics of your holiday decor!!
Good meeting you, stay in touch. Lauri