Black-Bottom Banana Pudding Bars
Serves: Makes about 24
 
Ingredients
  • Crust:
  • 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 3 cups cookies)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Filling:
  • ¾ cup chopped semisweet chocolate
  • ⅓ cup plus ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 2 medium bananas, sliced
  • 1 (3.4-ounce) box banana cream instant pudding mix
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • Topping:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Garnish: chopped chocolate, banana slices
Instructions
  1. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, letting excess extend over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
  2. For crust: In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
  3. For filling: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, cook chocolate and ⅓ cup cream on medium in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until mixture is melted and smooth (1½ to 2 minutes total). Spread chocolate mixture onto crust. Top with banana slices. In a medium bowl, beat pudding mix, milk, and remaining ¼ cup cream with a mixer at medium speed until very thick, about 2 minutes. Spread onto bananas.
  4. For topping: In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread onto pudding mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving or up to 8 hours. Using excess foil as handles, remove from pan, and cut into bars. Garnish with chocolate and banana, if desired.
Recipe by Paula Deen Magazine at https://pauladeenmagazine.com/black-bottom-banana-pudding-bars/