One of the boons of being lactose-free is not being able to have creamy desserts. Having only been lactose-free for a year, I am still a newbie about all the options that are out there. A lot of the ones I've tried have not tasted good or had weird after-tastes and textures. I can't get into soy milk, struggle to enjoy almond milk, and apparently have a mild allergy to coconut cream because a few hours after trying a deliciously whipped, dark chocolate coconut yogurt, I had canker sores all over my tongue.
I started trying lactose-free dairy, after getting up some courage and deciding that I could live with the nasty after effects if they made me feel as awful as regular dairy -- a test had to be done! I found some awesome lactose-free yogurts, cream cheeses and sour creams, but I also tried Lactaid milk and found it to not bother me much at all and it tastes like real milk... because it is.
Last week, when my husband was selecting his ingredients for his traditional "Thanksgiving Banana Creme Pie", I decided to try making my own version -- thus, the "Mini Lactose-Free Banana Creme Pies" were born.
INGREDIENTS
One (1) 3.4 oz. package of JELL-O Banana Cream Pudding & Pie Filling
1 & 3/4 cups Lactaid Lactose Free 2% Milk
One (1) Ripe Banana
One (1) pack of 6 - Keebler Ready Crust Mini Graham Pie Crusts (these are the tart sized ones)
DIRECTIONS
1. Pour pudding mix into mixing bowl and add the milk.
2. Beat for 2-3 minutes to soft set the pudding.
3. Using a 1/4 cup measuring spoon, spoon the pudding into the graham cracker crusts and fill all of them equally.
4. Place them on cookie sheet or plate, and set in fridge for at least an hour to chill and set pudding more solidly.
5. When ready to serve, slice bananas and place on top.
6. Serve and enjoy!
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
+ If you're making these with regular dairy, you can top them with whip cream
+ Instead of sliced bananas, add strawberries or other berries, citrus, kiwi, or mixed fruits
+ Sprinkle with chopped nuts
Trust me when I say these taste every bit as delicious as your regular dairy banana cream pies, because it is regular dairy. All they've done is remove the lactose out of the milk by using the enzyme lactase which all you dairy lovers have naturally in your bodies. So, lactose-intolerant friends of the universe, unite around Lactaid-made creme pies!!!
+What's your favorite holiday dessert?
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