So I Tried Blue Bell’s Banana Pudding Ice Cream

So, I saw a friend on Facebook post about Blue Bell’s Banana Pudding and said, “just take my money!” We laughed. You see, growing up, banana pudding was something my great-grandmother on my mom’s side of the family would make. We were privileged to have it at family events, and it was my favorite! Well, mine and my grandfather Boppy’s favorite. So you know, my Boppy AKA Lindsey Jack, was her son in law. They were what’d you call, “good people.” ❤️ There was just something special about how Grandmother White made that treat!

When she passed away in 1999, it wasn’t something we had any longer at family events. Between missing her, not exactly sure what she did to make it “her way,” and that space of time after someone passes away where it just seems “wrong” to bring something back, we let it go. That was, until about two years ago, when my sister Jessica decided to make it and bring it to Thanksgiving at our house. It was like heaven! I told her from that day forward, her banana pudding was to be a staple for every major family event! She has been bringing it ever since. I happen to know what her special ingredient is that makes an incredible tasting pudding, but it’s a family secret!

So you can imagine how excited I was this past week, when I saw Blue Bell has a flavor called Banana Pudding!! We, of course, buy a container and drove home from the local Walmart. I tell you that if I would have had a spoon in the vehicle, I would have tried it then and there! No such luck. Nonetheless, we drive home right, and after taking the groceries inside, I pull the lid off expecting to dive in a eat a few yummy bites. Granted, ice cream isn’t the healthiest snack to eat, but a few treats this time of year are just customary, right?

I took the first little bite. I knew it wouldn’t quite be the same, since it was not in fact pudding and it is cold. I’m met with confusion upon the first bite. Unexpectedly, it was a little bland tasting and then has a weird aftertaste. I tell my husband Will, who sadly thinks banana pudding is gross, and take another bite. Surely it has to be my tastebuds “off” or something. It’s then a little better now that I know what to expect, but it still has a strange aftertaste. I took two more small bites to make sure, put the lid back on the container, and sadly put it in the freezer. I am shocked! I am bummed! I was expecting so much more Blue Bell!!

Oh well, when you make so many good tasting products like Blue Bell does, you are bound to have one a Texas girl won’t fall in food-love with I suppose. I’ll stick to chocolate, the kind with the most chocolate goodness packed in to the recipe, every now and again. I don’t buy ice cream often because it doesn’t last long in our house. I can have a half gallon last three months and not think twice about it. A week. A week is how long, if we are lucky, if my husband knows there is ice cream. It’s his favorite, so I’ll buy it every now and again to make him smile.

Until next time ~ Nikki Smith