Southern Charm Pudding

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By Chelsea Gieselmann / @southrngritskitchen

Here in the South, pudding is a staple at just about every summer potluck or family get-together. The classic choice? Banana pudding. And believe me, I had more than my fair share of it growing up, whether the fruit were in sandwiches, sliced over cereal, or layered in that common pudding dish at every gathering.

But these days, bananas just aren’t my thing. That’s why I have decided to create an elevated take on the classic banana pudding. This strawberry pudding is everything I love about traditional Southern pudding; cool, creamy, and nostalgic, just without the bananas.

My Southern Charm Pudding will be a crowd favorite and become a necessity at your summer gatherings for years to come.

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🍓 Featuring Sweet Grown Alabama Products

• Strawberries – Bell Farms, Dothan AL

• Heavy Cream & Whole Milk – Working Cows Dairy, Slocomb AL

• Honey – Mt. Moriah Farms, Dothan AL

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🍓 Ingredients

• 1 (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding

• 3 cups cold milk

• Honey

• Shaved white chocolate (optional)

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

• 2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 ½–2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

• 1 cup roasted chopped pecans

• 1 box vanilla wafers (or enough to make 2–3 layers)

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🍓 Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Let it sit in the fridge for 5 minutes to set.

2. In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form (about 3–5 minutes with an electric mixer).

3. Gently fold about two-thirds of the whipped cream into the chilled vanilla pudding to create a light and creamy filling. Reserve the remaining whipped cream for the topping.

4. Layer the vanilla wafers on the bottom of the dish.

5. Spread half of the pudding mixture over the wafers.

6. Add a layer of sliced strawberries, honey and sprinkle with pecans.

7. Repeat the layers: wafers, pudding, strawberries, honey, and pecans.

8. Add white chocolate shavings to the top. (Optional)

9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the wafers to soften and the flavors to blend.

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🍓 About Sweet Grown Alabama

Sweet Grown Alabama is a non-profit organization committed to promoting Alabama’s agricultural producers by connecting consumers with locally grown products. From fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, honey, dairy, and artisan goods, the program highlights the diversity and quality of Alabama-grown products through a searchable online database and statewide promotional efforts.

This year, Chelsea Gieselmann, a Sweet Grown Alabama ambassador and a contributor to Lake Wedowee Life and other WEDO Media Inc. magazines, helps amplify this mission by sharing stories that celebrate Alabama’s farming community.

Through partnerships with farmers, businesses, and consumers, Sweet Grown Alabama works to strengthen the state’s agricultural economy and foster a greater appreciation for local food and products.

To learn more, visit www.sweetgrownalabama.org.
Follow Chelsea on Facebook and Instagram at @southrngritskitchen.

Originally posted by Lake Wedowee Life Magazine via Locable