Chessmen Banana Pudding

5 from 9 votes
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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.

A baking dish full of banana pudding.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients
  2. Steps to Making Chessmen Banana Pudding
  3. Serving Variations
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Storing and Refrigerating Chessmen Banana Pudding
  6. More Dreamy No-Bake Desserts
  7. How to Make Chessmen Banana Pudding
  8. Chessmen Banana Pudding Recipe

This mind-blowingly 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.

A scoop of banana pudding on a pink plate with two bananas in the background.


Ingredients

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.

Steps to Making Chessmen Banana Pudding

Combine the ingredients together for a delicious banana flavor! Layer this chessmen banana pudding in a 9×13 baking dish. The layers will show through the glass and give a uniform design with the chessmen cookies.

  1. Stir – In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and pudding mix. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Mix – In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Stir until smooth. For best results, use a handheld electric mixer. Fold in whipped topping.
  3. Combine – Add the two mixtures together and stir until well combined.
  4. Assemble – Line the bottom layer 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.
  5. Chill – 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.

“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

What is a substitute for Pepperidge Farm Chessmen?

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.

How do you keep bananas from turning black in banana pudding?

Using vinegar or lemon juice will give the bananas the citric acid to help keep the bananas from browning.

What culture is banana pudding from?

Banana pudding is a Southern dessert and is usually displayed in a glass dish to show off the layers.

Who invented banana pudding?

Laura Kerley invented banana pudding back in 1921. She is from Bloomington, Illinois where she published the recipe in the Pantagraph.

Can I make this Banana Pudding Recipe ahead of time?

  • You can assemble the pudding layers about a day before serving, especially if you prefer the softer cookie texture. However you can make the pudding and cream cheese filling about three days in advance, then layer the fresh bananas and cookies together just before serving. To keep bananas from browning, especially when making ahead of time, lightly brush lemon juice on the banana slices. Try not to use too much though, as you don’t want to change the flavor of the pudding.
  • 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.

    How to Make Chessmen Banana Pudding

    A scoop of banana pudding on a pink plate with two bananas in the background

    Chessmen Banana Pudding

    5 from 9 votes
    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.
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 servings

    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.
      Vanilla pudding mix combined with milk in a large bowl
    • 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.
      Sweetened condensed milk mixed with cream cheese
    • Add the two mixtures together and stir until well combined.
      Sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, and cool whip mixed together in a large bowl
    • Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with one layer of Chessmen cookies.
      Chessman cookies laid out on the bottom of a glass baking dish
    • Place sliced bananas on top of the cookie layer.
      Chessman cookies and banana slices layered in the bottom of a baking dish
    • Pour the pudding mixture over the banana layer.
      Chessman cookies, banana slices and banana pudding layered in a glass baking dish
    • Top with another layer of Chessmen cookies.
      Banana pudding topped with Chessman cookies in a baking dish
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
      A scoop of banana pudding on a pink plate with two bananas in the background

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 7gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 422mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 320IUVitamin C: 3.6mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 1.5mg

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    About the author

    Echo Blickenstaff

    Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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    Comments

    1. 5 stars
      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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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