Southern Style Banana Pudding With Chessmen Cookies Food

PAULA DEEN'S CHESSMEN BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.
• In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer.
• Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth.
• Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture.
• Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended.
• Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Heat 2 1/2 cups of the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk 3/4 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
• Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, and then gradually whisk the egg-milk mixture into the milk in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened to a puddinglike consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla.
• Layer a third of the pudding, half the banana slices and half the vanilla wafers in a 9-inch square baking dish. Layer with half the remaining pudding, all the remaining banana slices and all the remaining wafers. Top with the last of the pudding. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the pudding surface, and refrigerate overnight to soften the cookies.
• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bring the egg whites to room temperature. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium-high, and slowly sprinkle in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar a tablespoon at a time, whipping for 15 seconds after each addition, until glossy firm peaks form. Spread the meringue on top of the pudding with an offset spatula so it reaches the edges of the pan. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

CHESSMEN BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine 1 3/4 cups of the heavy cream, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the cream cheese and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the milk and instant pudding mix to a separate large bowl. Whisk until thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture, then set aside.
• Add the remaining 2 1/4 cups heavy cream, remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the vanilla extract in a separate large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until just combined. Set aside.
• Place 20 of the cookies in a single layer on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with the banana slices. Pour the pudding mixture over the banana slices and spread in an even layer. Top with the remaining 20 cookies. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the pudding is firm, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.