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This chessmen banana pudding is stacked with bananas, a pudding cheesecake filling, and crunchy cookies. This Paula Deen recipe is one of our favorite desserts and we’re so excited to share it with you.
This mind-blowingly delicious layered chessmen banana pudding recipe first came into my life years ago, when my friend made it for a party. She got the recipe from the one and only Paula Deen, so I knew it had to be good. Its original name was “Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding Recipe” and that’s the truth!
Crunchy cookies and sliced bananas sandwich a creamy layer of banana cheesecake filling. Every bite has a savory and sweet flavor with a thick creamy and crunchy texture. This dessert serves a crowd, so it is perfect for your next potluck or family dinner.
Ingredients for Chessmen Banana Pudding
This is known to be similar to Paula Deen banana pudding recipe with all the same ingredients! Each ingredient is used to help enhance the banana flavor.
- Pepperidge Farms Chessmen Cookies – Technically, you could get by with two packages, but go ahead and buy three to ensure you have enough whole cookies for the layers. Usually, I find that there are several broken pieces in most packages. You can use broken pieces on the first layer to fill in the bottom and sides, or you can also eat the broken pieces!
- Bananas – It is best to have ripe bananas that are sliced into even sections.
- Milk – Whole milk gives a rich and creamy flavor and texture. You can use any milk that you have on hand. Just know it may alter the texture and flavor.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix – You can use French Vanilla pudding or plain Vanilla instant pudding mix for this Banana Pudding recipe.
- Cream Cheese – To ensure a smooth final product, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – This sweetens the pudding but also gives extra creaminess to the pudding.
- Whipped Topping – For convenience, we use thawed Cool Whip, but you could absolutely use homemade whipped cream. You can make homemade whipped cream by mixing heavy cream, a little bit of sugar, and some vanilla extract in a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed until stiff peaks form.
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and pudding mix until smooth. Set aside.
- Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth (an electric mixer works best). Fold in the whipped topping until fully combined.
- Combine the Filling: Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until smooth and well combined.
- Layer the Cookies: Arrange a single layer of Chessmen cookies across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the Bananas: Evenly layer the sliced bananas over the cookies.
- Add the Filling: Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the banana layer.
- Top with Cookies: Finish with a second layer of Chessmen cookies.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serving Variations
We think this banana pudding recipe is pretty much perfect, but if you want to change it up, we do have a few variations!
- Cookies – You can use Nilla Wafers, other vanilla wafers cookies, or shortbread cookies instead of the bag of Chessmen cookies.
- Crush cookies – Instead of placing the cookies whole on the top layer, you can crush them up and sprinkle the crumbs over the top.
- Trifle dish – You can also serve this dessert in a large trifle dish. Start with a layer of cookies, then a layer of banana slices, then a layer of pudding mixture, and repeat until the dish is full.
- Individual Servings – Layer these in individual cups like our Dirt Cups recipe! So fun for parties, showers, and individual snacks!
“This is an easy and delicious recipe–I have made this for years for my family!! One of their favorites!! I have used chocolate and caramel flavored pudding for different flavors–always turns out good!! A variety of cookies wil work esp oreos!!”
-Lee
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanilla wafers are usually the next best thing to Chessmen cookies. Chessmen cookies are buttery and the best options. They come in a rectangular shape in a small bag.
Using vinegar or lemon juice will give the bananas the citric acid to help keep the bananas from browning.
Banana pudding is a Southern dessert and is usually displayed in a glass dish to show off the layers.
Laura Kerley invented banana pudding back in 1921. She is from Bloomington, Illinois where she published the recipe in the Pantagraph.
Storing and Refrigerating Chessmen Banana Pudding
Store this dessert in the fridge in an airtight container, or covered with plastic wrap. Leftover banana pudding is my absolute favorite! The cookies soften a little on the second day and the flavors all blend together deliciously. It will be kept in the refrigerator for about a week.
More Dreamy No-Bake Desserts
If you have tried this chessmen banana pudding recipe, you know that there’s no need to heat up the house for tasty treats! Try a few more and see for yourself.
Chessmen Banana Pudding
Video
Ingredients
- 3 bags Pepperidge Farms Chessmen cookies, You really only need two bags, but a lot of times there are broken cookies in each bag.
- 6 bananas, sliced
- 2 cups milk
- 5 ounces instant pudding, vanilla
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 12 ounces whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine milk and pudding mix. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Stir until smooth. For best results, use an electric mixer. Fold in whipped topping.
- Add the two mixtures together and stir until well combined.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with one layer of Chessmen cookies.
- Place sliced bananas on top of the cookie layer.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the banana layer.
- Top with another layer of Chessmen cookies.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I haven’t made this recipe yet I rated it 5 stars for looks. However, I do plan to make it for Easter. Well lets say I plan to make it for Easter If people have left any food on the shelves at grocery stores. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was a big hit. Thanks for the easy recipe!