Hi Everyone,
You are soooooooo going to think I lost my marbles today, but what can I say I probably did! For today’s #SundaySupper assignment we have to make something that was inspired by a song or music. After asking my Husband what songs are related to food? He said Strawberry Fields by the Beetles or Peaches by Presidents of the United States. I thought nah, but the Peaches song inspired me to go peach picking! 🙂 So on our way home from picking peaches, I asked him, what song has banana’s in it? He said the Banana Split Song. OMG! I knew what he was talking about. I loved that show as a child. I used to get up at 5:30am to watch it. Oh the Banana Splits. Do you remember them? Here is a memory refresher.
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Ha ha! That show seemed kind of silly, don’t you think. Ahhh, to be young and innocent and watch tv shows like that. They don’t make them like that anymore! That’s probably a good thing. Hope the song doesn’t get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. It’s kind of hard to write a post when all your thinking is Tra La La. Anyway, so what recipe did the song inspire me to make? Not a banana split, but banana cream bars. Actually the recipe isn’t my idea, it’s my friend Cori at work. We had a company BBQ and she made the most wonderful Banana Cream Pie Bars, they were so rich, creamy and sweet. Everyone loved them! She told me she got the recipe from Paula Deen. She’s a Food Network freak like me! 🙂 Cori asked me if I could make the recipe healthier or fewer calories. I took the challenge on and came up with these bars.
At work we decided to have a taste off, ok it wasn’t a competition. We just wanted to see how a fewer calorie bar would taste against the full fat bar. So Cori made her banana bars the way we all remember them. This is what her banana cream bar looked like. Don’t mind the pictures, I took it with my cell phone.
Cori’s Banana Cream Pie Bars are made the same basic way as mine, which included, 1 1/2 bananas, 8 oz full fat cream cheese, 1 tub regular Cool Whip, one package of Pepperidge Farm Chesseman Cookies and Jello Banana Cream Pudding. The calorie per bar came out to: 221, Fat: 9.9, Cholesterol: 34, Sodium: 239, Carbs: 30.6, Fiber: 1.1, Sugar: 14, Protein: 2.9
I used 1 1/2 banana’s, 8 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese, 1 tub fat free Cool Whip, Trader Joe’s Toasted Coconut Thin Cookies and Jello Sugar Free Fat Free Banana Cream instant pudding. The calorie per bar for mine are: 123, Fat: 3.8, Cholesterol: 11, Sodium: 197, Carbs: 17, Fiber: .04, Sugar: 7, Protein: 3.2
Big difference in calories, mine is almost half. But what’s the difference in taste? Actually the bars taste the same. The flavor is the same, but the difference is the texture. Cori’s bars came out thicker, creamer and has more of a rich taste. Mine is more light, airy and whipped. If you like heavier desserts or a cream base, Cori’s recipe is perfect for you. If you like things more on the light side, kind of like mousse, then mine is the dessert for you. My friend, Andrea, said if you ate one, you wouldn’t notice the difference but because we ate a bite of one, then the other, you notice the difference but only in texture, not taste.
No matter what way you make this dessert, the outcome is wonderful. I am glad I got to make a dessert that tastes wonderful and my husband enjoys and it’s guilt-free. Speaking of guilt-free. I did make this dessert last week, using fat-free cream cheese. The texture was horrible. The flavor was good but the texture not good. However my Husband said the first day the pie wasn’t that great, but the second day, he said it tasted wonderful, he ate the whole pan. As for the recipe I am sharing with you today, my Husband said it tasted great the first day and second day. It didn’t make it past the second day. 🙂
- 3 cups Cool Whip Fat Free, thawed (one whole container)
- 8 oz cream cheese, ⅓ fat, room temperature
- 1 pkg. Jello Instant Banana Pudding, fat free, sugar free (4ozpkg.)
- 1½ large bananas, sliced
- 16 Toasted Coconut Thin Cookies from Trader Joe's or vanilla wafers, or Pepperidge Farms Chessman Cookies, divided
- 12 maraschino cherries (optional)
- Line a 8 x 8 pan with 12 cookies; set a side. (If all the cookies don't fit, just break them into large pieces)
- In a bowl beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in pudding, until combined. Beat in half the whip cream, until combined. Fold in whip cream.
- Add half the cream cheese mixture over cookies in the baking pan. Top with sliced bananas and top with remaining cream cheese mixture.
- In a mini food processor, add 4 cookies and process until crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over cream cheese mixture and top with maraschino cherries if desired (The cherries really give it a nice pop). Refrigerate until ready to eat. The longer it sits in the refrigerator the softer the cookies get.
I really had fun with this today. It’s nice to compare desserts and see what people think. In all actuality they were both a hit at work and we both came home with empty containers! 🙂 Well I took one home to my Husband, I wanted him to taste Cori’s and taste mine. He said they tasted the same, except Cori’s had more cookie. So whether you go full fat or lower calorie, it will be a win, win.
Well time for me to go! Now be sure to check out what the other members of #SundaySupper made today. I wonder what songs they chose and what recipe was inspired by it.
Have a great day!
Toodles,
Jennifer
P.S.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
One banana, two banana, three banana, four.
Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.
Over hill and highway the banana buggies go
Comin’ on to bring you The Banana Splits Show.
Makin up a mess of fun
Makin up a mess of fun
Lot’s of fun for everyone.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Four banana, three banana, two banana, one.
All bananas playing in the bright warm sun.
Flippin like a pancake, poppin like a cork
Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
he he he he
Prelude (Beverages):
Calimocho (Red Red Wine Cocktail) from La Cocina de Leslie inspired by Red Red Wine by UB40 Dark & Stormy Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan inspired by Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen Horchata from Treats & Trinkets inspired by Horchata by Vampire Weekend Orange Crush from Magnolia Days inspired by Orange Crush by REM Pineapple Lemonade Slushy with Coconut Water from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz inspired by Lemon Tree by Peter, Paul & Mary Strawberry Tequila from Shockingly Delicious inspired by Strawberry Fields Forever by The BeatlesOverture (Appetizers):
Mustard Dill Beer Bread from Curious Cuisiniere inspired by In Heaven There Is No Beer a German PolkaIntermezzo (Entrees & Sides):
Chicken and Bacon Cheddar Waffles from I Run For Wine inspired by Glady’s Knight Classic Fried Chicken from The Food Army Wife inspired by Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band Margarita Chicken from In The Kitchen With KP inspired by Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet Meatball Duet from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings inspired by On Top of Spaghetti by Tom Glazer Pan-Seared Halibut with Corn Hash and Asparagus Puree from Crazy Foodie Stunts inspired by Saturday Night Fish Fry by Louis Jordan Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pulled Pork from Neighborfood inspired by Something Like That by Tim McGraw Spaghetti and Pork Meatballs from Family Foodie inspired by On Top of Spaghetti by Kidsongs Teriyaki Burger from Juanita’s Cocina inspired by Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy BuffetFinale (Desserts):
Banana Cream Pie Bars from Peanut Butter and Peppers inspired by Tra La La Song by The Banana Splits Banana Pancake Ice Cream with Maple Brittle from Foxes Love Lemons inspired by Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson Cherry Pie from My Cute Bride inspired by Cherry Pie by Warrant Cherry Marshmallows from Pies and Plots Chocolate Cappuccino Cream Puffs from Runner’s Tales inspired by Choux Pastry Heart by Corinne Bailey Rae Chocolate Chip, Walnut and Caramel Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwich from Ruffles & Truffles inspired by Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani Chocolate Covered Caramels from Big Bear’s Wife inspired by At Last by Etta James Coconut Rum Blondies from Gotta Get Baked inspired by I’ve Got A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts by Danny Kaye Easy Blueberry Recipe: Fruit Tart from Growing Up Gabel inspired by Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino Espresso Nib Ice Cream from Vintage Kitchen Notes inspired by Black Coffee by Ella Fitzgerald Fancy Watermelon Lime Popsicles from Daily Dish Recipes inspired by Watermelon Crawl by Tracy Byrd Fresh Peach Pie from Killer Bunnies, Inc. inspired by Sweet Sweet Pie by PWEI Jammin’ Oatmeal Cookies from What Smells So Good? inspired by Jammin’ by Bob Marley Many Flavors Whipped Cream from Noshing with the Nolands inspired by Whipped Cream and Other Delights by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass Peach Basil Pie from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen inspired by Peaches by POTUSA Pina Colada Poke Cake from Cookin’ Mimi inspired by Two Pina Coladas by Garth Brooks Peach Donuts with Brown Sugar from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks inspired by Peaches by POTUSA Peach Strudel with Honey Bourbon Frozen Yogurt from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures inspired by My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music & Wild Honey by U2 Rainbow Pops from The Urban Mrs inspired by Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice Salted Ripple Chip No-Churn Ice Cream from Cupcakes & Kale Chips inspired by Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan Salted Peanut Swirl Peanut Butter Ice Cream from girlichef inspired by Salt Peanuts by The Quintet Shall We Dance? Fairy Cakes from The Ninja Baker inspired by Shall We Dance from the Japanese Film Sugar Crusted Zucchini Bread from That Skinny Chick Can Bake inspired by Sugar, Sugar by the Archies Tangerine Sorbet from Webicurean inspired by Tangerine Speedo by Caviar Yeasted Banana Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner inspired by I Like Bread and Butter by The New Beats Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here ? Sunday Supper Movement.
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jaja, there are songs that stay with you no matter what. Banana cream pie, I´ve yet to make one, but your comparison is very interesting. But I would probably add caramel to it, so… Nice skinny recipe Jennifer!
One of my favorite desserts! LOVE that yours is a bit lighter!
I think I would be pretty stuck with this theme. I am glad you remembered the banana song.
Oh yes, I remember the Banana Splits. Reading this brought back a lot of those memories from my childhood. Nice bars too. Love the lighter version.
Those look so yummy! I’m a sucker for banana cream anything – and what a fun song to be inspired by! 🙂
This is the perfect light and easy to make summer dessert!
That dessert looks wonderful and what a silly hilarious song!! Don’t think I remember that song though or that show? Must of been the wrong timing for Amber.
You did a marvelous job lightening up these bars! The hubby would love these!!!
I have never heard of that show…or heard the song…but it’s definitely a fun inspiration. These sound delicious…though I want to grab that chess cookie off the other one (yum!).
Banana cream pie is one of my favorites! Love the idea of making them into bars!!
Tra-la-la! Light, fluffy innocence on TV or my dessert plate will garner a yes, please every time! Great job on this reduced calorie delight, Jennifer =)
Oh man, they look so creamy! I totally forgot about that song, now I think it’s going to be stuck in my head.
Love that you made these, and cut the calories and fat. And I love that “light and airy” texture – yum!
I’m loving all of the ice creams this week! I’m like you – I make and eat ice cream all year round. Why not? Love your tip for making ice cream in a food processor! I’ll pass that along to my friends without ice cream makers 🙂
Ooops – too many windows open on my computer 🙂 That last one made no sense, because it was really meant for our friend Paula. hahaha, sorry 🙂
no problem, I have done the same thing! 🙂
Yum! What time do you serve dessert?!
What a fun task!! I love your banana cream pie bars, so creative, and they turned out gorgeous!!
Thank you Kristi! 🙂
Oh yum! These sound so good!
Thanks Brianne!
Ohhh my gosh this look amazing! I want some NOW! What a great light and refreshing summer recipe and so creamy! Just a heads up, not trying to point out flaws, but I thought you would want to know you spelled vanilla by wafers wrong on the recipe.
Thanks Sophia! I have fix the spelling! 🙂
I changed it to Vanilla, but I thought they were called manilla? Hmm, I”ll have to look next time I am at the store.
Fun dessert!
Thank you! 🙂
I love banana cream anything and so much the better if I can eat it guilt free!!
I couldn’t agree with you more. My Husband was in 7th heaven when I made this recipe!!
These sound so good and I love the lighter version (although, I’m sure they both were amazing)! Such a great song, too!
Trust me, they were both amazing! It was fun to test them out.
Wow, this is amazing!!! Love that you lightened up the recipe too. I must try this!
Thank you Megan! 🙂 I try to lightened up wherever I can!
These sound fantastic! What a great idea to do a taste test!
Thanks Sarah! We had fun testing them out! 🙂
Banana cream anything sounds good to me! I loved watching the Banana Splits! Now I’ll have that song stuck in my head, thanks :-p
Sorry about the song! lol