Tasty Tuesday - Banana Pudding

One of the staple desserts in the south is definitely Banana Pudding. I wanted to share a recipe that I often get special requests to bring to functions, friends birthday parties, etc... I will give you a tip..in order to make this work out right, you gotta get yourself one of these bad boys (a KitchenAid mixer). My grandmother gave me this, and it makes a serious difference when you're cooking/baking recipes.

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding
Paula Deen

1 12oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I have used an 8 oz and it tastes just as good)
1 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 5 oz box instant vanilla pudding
2 C milk
6-8 bananas
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies

Line the bottom of a 13x9 dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top ( I usually can't get a whole bag on bottom)

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, (I prefer using the KitchenAid Mixer), combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. I have tried this recipe multiple times without the Mixer and it is very hard to get the cream cheese mixed without lumps by hand. Note: make sure the cream cheese is VERY SOFT or it won't mix well. And as much as I hate to say it...go ahead and use the real stuff, not fat free. It makes a difference in this recipe. 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 (I always have a few cookies left over).

Your final project should look a little something like this:

Tip: I have used other fruit besides just bananas in this dish. I have added strawberries and blueberries and it was really yummy.