A Southerner’s Staple: Banana Pudding

Perhaps I’m being a little parochial.  Maybe banana pudding is a staple on every American’s table during summer time feasts. Maybe every family has a generational obligation to provide this one dessert at every meal where .

Maybe.

I know for sure this is how it is in the South.  :)   Everyone grows up with this dessert.  Everyone loves it (mostly).  And everyone knows how to make it.

But… just in case someone out there doesn’t know, I’ll let you in on a little secret.  It is probably the easiest dessert to throw together and one of the prettiest despite the lack of complications.

There are some who will swear that in order to make a good banana pudding you must make the pudding from scratch.

<er….> I can’t disagree more.

Creating meals and desserts and certain ingredients from scratch is almost always a better option.  It’s usually cheaper; it usually tastes better; and it is usually a healthier option.  But sometimes, when a pre-made ingredient can make life easier and the end result is the same, I say go for it.

In this case, I say there is absolutely nothing wrong with pudding from a box!  ;)

3 bananas

2 boxes instant banana creme pudding

6 cups cold milk (whole is best)

1 small container Cool Whip

Nilla wafers

In a mixing bowl, mix pudding according to directions on package.

Line bottom of serving bowl with wafers.  Add a layer of sliced bananas.  Pour 1/2 of pudding over these layers and then smooth 1/2 cool whip on top.  Repeat layers, ending with a nice smooth finish of cool whip.  Decorate top with cookie crumbs or with more banana slices and wafers.

Refrigerate until time to serve.

That’s it!  It’s so good, Y’all!  ;)