In Paula Deen's Career, One Recipe Stands Above The Rest

When you're a fan of a celebrity chef like Paula Deen, following their career can be tough. Legacy personalities like Deen have years of recipes, books, shows, and content. And let's be real, as much as we may like, most of us don't have all day, every day to cook and work our way through all of them.

Luckily, the biggest benefit to being a fan of these iconic chefs is that you've got a whole cohort of other devoted followers, and they're more than happy to help the community test and try all recipes, letting you know what's worth your time and what's not. In Deen's long career, there's been one recipe that fans can't seem to get enough of. It consistently ranks on Deen's year-end roundup of the most popular recipes on her blog — and even held the number one spot in both 2019 and 2020.

If you've only got one chance to make a Paula Deen recipe, use that shot on this recipe.

Maybe it's the sweet bananas, the crunchy Chessmen cookies, or the tangy cream cheese that make this Paula Deen recipe so stellar, but it's clear fans love her Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding.

The great thing about this dish is that it's easy to make, doesn't require any baking, and can be enjoyed year-round. The recipe has over 643 reviews on Deen's website and — if you couldn't guess — most people are pretty happy with their results. "I tried this recipe for the first time last year and ended up making it 3 times within 2 months. We loved it and have added it to our list of choices for sweet treats," one reviewer shared. "I have been making this dessert for my family for a few years now. They never stop asking for it," another commenter wrote.

If you've already tried this recipe, or you're just looking for a way to introduce some new ingredients to the mix, don't forget to try out Mashed's Paula Deen's Banana Pudding Recipe With A Twist, for a special addition to make the treat even more decadent.