Chocolate Banana Pudding Bars
 
Makes 9
Ingredients
  • 2 cups finely crushed chocolate graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 (3.4-ounce) box chocolate instant pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold whole milk, divided
  • ½ cup cold heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 3 medium bananas
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 (3.4-ounce) box banana cream instant pudding mix
  • Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
  • Garnish: banana slices, small chocolate curls
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, letting excess extend over sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Add butter, stirring until well combined. Using a straight-sided measuring cup, firmly press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake until set and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix, 1 cup milk, and ¼ cup cream until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spread over prepared crust.
  4. Slice bananas lengthwise ¼ inch thick. Place in a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice. Arrange banana slices with sides touching on top of chocolate pudding.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together banana cream pudding mix, remaining 1 cup milk, and remaining ¼ cup cream until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spread over bananas. Top with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting. Carefully cover, and freeze until firm, 2 to 3 hours.
  6. Using excess foil as handles, remove from pan. Using a hot dry knife, trim off edges. Cut into 9 squares, cleaning knife between each cut. Serve immediately. Garnish with banana and chocolate, if desired. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Recipe by Taste of the South at https://tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/chocolate-banana-pudding-bars/