Instead of cooking elaborate meals and coming up with new recipes, I’m in the throws of 20 DIY projects for the babe’s room. I think my husband is hoping for an early arrival just to put an end to all the craft projects. As of last night, I decided I need a gold pillow to complete the room. Maybe something like this?
My sweet tooth is still alive and well, so between craft projects and designing websites, dessert-making is a must.
A couple weeks ago, Trader Joe’s delivered the dessert of all desserts—Banana Pudding (sans pudding!). I picked up a sample, like I always do. And enjoyed it, like I always do, paying no attention to how it was prepared. It was late. Closing time. And Kev picked up the coveted last sample—a heaping portion to clean out the bowl. A woman, one too many steps behind, approached the counter asking for another sample. The bowl had just been cleaned and plated. They were fresh out for the evening. She was not happy. I carried on, paying no attention. Unbeknownst to me, she didn’t, and proceeded to follow my husband around the store. Awkward.
Still unaware of what was going on, I saw a container of vanilla wafers near the checkout counter. Shouting from a couple aisles over, I told Kev we should pick some up. I had been meaning to make a batch of banana pudding, reminiscent of Magnolia’s, all summer. He quickly agreed, more so than usual, and darted to checkout. A woman from behind me started talking about the banana pudding. I confirmed that it was delightful, and she proceeded to tell me, with a tinge of resentment, how she didn’t get to try it although she had been eyeing the counter all evening. But she got the recipe—wafers, bananas, and vanilla yogurt. “Is that it?!” I asked unknowlingly. “Gosh, I’ll have to try it.”
“Me too,” she said. “Me, too.”
On the way home I learned how the whole shopping experience really went down. Awkward aside, I got the recipe (if you can even call it that). I’ve always thought banana pudding was all about the pudding. But after trying it the cheater way, I think it’s more about the banana and those mushy vanilla wafers. I’m also slowly stocking my recipe repertoire with simple ones that don’t comprise flavor or my anal purist ways. Deep down inside, I wish I had made the wafers and the yogurt. But that’s for another day. Or another year for that matter.
There’s really no pudding involved at all, just vanilla yogurt. And the difference? Negligible. Takes 5 minutes to prepare, 5 hours to chill, and a lot of free time in between. It’s a win, win on those busy days. This recipe is written for a single serving, which easily adjusts to the amount of servings you need. If you want a little extra creaminess, a dollop of whipped cream definitely wont hurt anything.
Ingredients
Scale
about 8 Trader Joe’s Vanilla Wafers
a couple spoonfuls of good quality vanilla yogurt
1/2 banana, yellow but not too ripe
Instructions
In a small ramekin or glass dish, layer 3 wafers, a hefty dollop of yogurt, and 5 banana slices.
Repeat.
Lightly cover bananas with more vanilla yogurt. Top with 2 crushed wafers.
Refrigerate for about 5 hours. Serve chilled.
Notes
• If your yogurt is a bit on the tart side, sweeten with maple syrup or honey.
• If you’re looking to jazz up the recipe a little, fold freshly whipped cream into the yogurt. It’ll lighten the texture and add an extra tinge of flavor.
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This is genius! Lately, I’ve been having sweet tooth cravings, but I wanted something fresh and new to eat. This is a relatively healthy snack and is super simple and easy to make- even a girl like me can whip this up!
I love food revelations like this! I also thought pudding was important to the whole business here! Well, I am definitely going to try this. Might even layer a few of these for my kids’ lunchboxes since they’re so easy and healthy.
I have been making these for two weeks. Even my brother who hardly ever eats dessert loved this. My entire family loves it. Perfect for college students that I happen to have two of. Thanks a bunch!
Well, I’m glad you got your sample! This sounds so good. My grandmother always had a box of Nilla Wafers so they remind me of her. Really, if you have any spare time between your baby preparations and work, let’s have a little skype chat before the babe comes! I’m so excited for you guys.
LOL! So awkward for sure! But is make for a funny story!!
And now I want pudding and a trader joes in the same state!! I swear, that is the one horrible thing about Colorado. No Trader Joes! These look awesome though and I cannot wait to whip them up!
Awkwaaarrrddd. But not your husband’s fault…I’ve never been known to follow anyone around for a last sample (well maybe once)…and I’m pretty crazy about food…but she just sounds craAaAaAazy.
I’m always a little weirded out by banana pudding and fake banana flavor..but this sounds lovely.
hahahaha, awkward for sure. And who knows, maybe she will happen upon this post and say, “I was that woman” blablabla. I always wonder what I would do if I ever got caught like that. Anyway, banana puddin’ is my my favorite so I cannot wait to try this!
I’m having dinner with some friends tomorrow evening, and I’ve been asked to bring a (non-chocolate) dessert. This will be PERFECT! Thanks!
This is genius! Lately, I’ve been having sweet tooth cravings, but I wanted something fresh and new to eat. This is a relatively healthy snack and is super simple and easy to make- even a girl like me can whip this up!
i love this however i’m afraid the wafers would get soggy. can you confirm that they don’t….?
The wafers soften like they would in a traditional Banana Pudding. But if you prefer them to have a crunch, you can skip the resting period.
Oh man, those ultimate vanilla wafers from TJ’s are delicious. I made a peanut butter banana pudding with them one time and it was amazing!
I’m all about simple recipes and this banana pudding looks easy and quite tasty. Win, win!
I love food revelations like this! I also thought pudding was important to the whole business here! Well, I am definitely going to try this. Might even layer a few of these for my kids’ lunchboxes since they’re so easy and healthy.
Sounds so good and simple! Gotta try this!
I have been making these for two weeks. Even my brother who hardly ever eats dessert loved this. My entire family loves it. Perfect for college students that I happen to have two of. Thanks a bunch!
Yeah! So glad you guys like it! This may be the only dessert I’ll be making for awhile with a newborn around 🙂
Ha! At least you got the sample 😉 love this easy delicious banana pudding. Can’t go wrong with nilla wafers.
i absolutely LOVE this!!
I miss living near a Trader Joe’s. The recipe sounds great, but I might have a hard time waiting 5 hrs 🙂
Well, I’m glad you got your sample! This sounds so good. My grandmother always had a box of Nilla Wafers so they remind me of her. Really, if you have any spare time between your baby preparations and work, let’s have a little skype chat before the babe comes! I’m so excited for you guys.
Simple And seems to be Delicious… this is what i call Minimalistic Food… Perfection!
Super, SUPER cheater version: use handi-snacks (the little pudding cups). Chocolate or Vanilla. Both are fabulous 😉
LOL! So awkward for sure! But is make for a funny story!!
And now I want pudding and a trader joes in the same state!! I swear, that is the one horrible thing about Colorado. No Trader Joes! These look awesome though and I cannot wait to whip them up!
Awkwaaarrrddd. But not your husband’s fault…I’ve never been known to follow anyone around for a last sample (well maybe once)…and I’m pretty crazy about food…but she just sounds craAaAaAazy.
I’m always a little weirded out by banana pudding and fake banana flavor..but this sounds lovely.
So simple but sounds so sweet tooth satisfying! Yum! 🙂
hahahaha, awkward for sure. And who knows, maybe she will happen upon this post and say, “I was that woman” blablabla. I always wonder what I would do if I ever got caught like that. Anyway, banana puddin’ is my my favorite so I cannot wait to try this!
I’m definitely all over this! Love!
Mmmm… vanilla wafers. Sometimes simple is best!
Would ya know – thanks to Thom’s vanilla wafer craving a few days ago – I have everything on hand to make this for dinner. Err, dessert 😉
PS – I’m so excited for the babe. Hurry up, baby Coleman!