A Family Favorite Dessert

Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake 

Happy Wednesday Everyone! This weekend I made a dessert that has been a staple in my family. The icebox cake - graham crackers, pudding, and bananas. Yummo! The best part? No baking necessary! An overnight stint in the fridge softens the graham crackers and firms up the pudding to create a sliceable, delicious dessert.

I love no-bake recipes which only require a few ingredients. Sometimes I just don’t have the time to spend in the kitchen for anything more complicated. If using instant pudding this takes no time to prepare and the reward is oh so scrumptious.

What is it about a certain food or dessert that can conjure up such wonderful memories. This desert brings back the memories of celebration and laughter spend with my family. 

The traditional version in our house was to use chocolate pudding. But you really can use any flavor you like - vanilla, banana, etc. This time I thought I would mixed things up, I did a layer of vanilla and then a layer of chocolate. Oh my did it turn out so good you guys. 

Ingredients 

• 16oz pkg graham crackers 
• 2 pkgs (3.5 oz.) instant pudding mix or cooking pudding (I used 1 box of chocolate and 1 box of vanilla, instant pudding) 
• 3-1/2c whole milk 

Step 1 

Prepare the pudding as stated on the box. Note: the box says 2 cups of milk, I used 2 cups for the chocolate pudding but for the vanilla I only used 1-1/2 (I find if I use the full 2 cups on the vanilla it turns out a little loose). Set pudding aside. 

Step 2 

Place one single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Leave the crackers whole, do not crumble. You can fill in the gaps with broken graham crackers.

Step 3 

Slice 1 banana and spread over graham crackers.

Step 4

Next spread pudding over bananas (I used all of the vanilla, if using 1 flavor pudding than use half). 

Step 5 (Repeat Steps 2-4)

Cover with another layer of crackers, slice 1 banana and spread over graham crackers. Spread the remaining of the pudding on top (I used the chocolate). 

Step 6

For the finally take some of the remaining graham crackers and crumble them on top. 

Pure Heaven!

Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best (this is the hard part, the waiting). 

When you are ready to serve, watch your fingers it won't last.

                      Enjoy!