This creamy, rich Banana Pudding Recipe is a delicious, no-bake dessert! Perfect for weeknights or potlucks, everyone will LOVE this classic recipe! A delicious Paula Deen recipe featuring banana pudding and chessmen cookies!
If you love easy pudding desserts, have you tried these amazing Pudding Cookies? They stay soft for days! Or give this delightful chocolate Pudding Cake recipe a try soon.
Why this Banana Pudding is BEST
My family has been enjoying this easy banana pudding for years, as I’m sure many of you have as well. I figured it was about time to share the recipe and photos with all of you!
When trying out different versions and variations through the years, the recipe that stuck is Paula Deen’s Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding. She knows her banana pudding, for sure.
- No Bake– sets up in 4 hours, firm enough to slice and serve
- Looks beautiful in a trifle bowl, layered!
- I changed the recipe so it’s ONE BOWL. Easy to make, easy to clean.
If you love banana pudding as much as we do, try our banana pudding cupcakes next. Or go easy and whip up this banana pudding cake!
Ingredient Notes
- Bananas. Start with fresh, ripened bananas. Preferably ones that are still firm, as the bananas will soften even more as this sits in the refrigerator.
- Cookies. Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies are delicious shortbread cookies and make a great layering cookie. If you can’t find them, butter cookies or vanilla wafer cookies (Nilla Wafers) will work too! The cookies soften as this sits, much like in a Chocolate Eclair Cake or Icebox Cake. They become “cake-like” and amazing.
- Pudding. I opt for banana cream instant pudding mix. I think it intensifies the banana flavor to a delicious level. However, Paula Deen uses French Vanilla, and I think even plain vanilla would work too. Be sure to use instant pudding not cook and serve for best results.
- Whipped Cream vs Cool Whip. I chose to use Cool Whip for my banana pudding, but if you want to use a homemade whipped cream that would work too. It just might not be as stable. If serving in a trifle bowl, totally go for the whipped cream! You could also make our stabilized whipped cream (made with heavy cream) which is similar to cool whip, but homemade!
How to Make Banana Pudding
Learning how to make banana pudding is so easy. Mix and layer as directed below:
Bottom Layer. Line the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with a single layer of cookies (it’s okay if they overlap slightly). Use the deepest 13×9 you own.
Layer sliced bananas over the top. I used 6 medium size bananas, and cover the bottom so you don’t see any cookies (about 2 layers worth of banana slices).
Pudding Filling. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk. Beat until creamy, with no clumps! Add in pudding mixture, and milk, and beat again for several minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Fold in the cool whip or whipped cream.
Final Layer. Pour pudding mixture over the top of the bananas and top with a layer of cookies.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Storage
Banana Pudding should be stored in a covered container (or with plastic wrap on top) in the refrigerator. Leftovers of my homemade banana pudding should be eaten within 2-3 days of making it.
I feel banana pudding doesn’t freeze well. The layer of bananas turns brown and quite mushy, and the cookie layers will get too soft. You’re better of eating this one quickly, or sharing with others!
Make-Ahead Instructions
While you can’t freeze banana pudding, you can make it ahead of time. And I recommend doing it about 24 hours in advance, which allows the cookies to soften slightly so they can be sliced!
You can also make the pudding filling ahead of time (and refrigerate it) and assemble before serving for a crunchy cookie layer.
Either way, you’re going to agree this is the best banana pudding recipe you’ve ever made!
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Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
- 6 medium bananas sliced
- 1 package cream cheese, softened 8 ounce
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounce
- 1 box Instant Banana cream pudding mix 5 ounce ***
- 2 cups milk ***
- 12 ounce Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish with one package of chessmen cookies. Top with sliced bananas.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add in pudding mix and milk. Beat for several minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Fold in cool whip and spread over banana layer.
- Top with remaining package of chessmen cookies. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Notes
- French Vanilla or Vanilla Pudding Mix can be substituted for the Banana Cream flavor
- I used 2% milk, but any variety would work.
- Vanilla Wafers or Butter Cookie can be substituted for the Chessmen Shortbread Cookies.
- Recipe slightly adapted from Paula Deen’s Not Yo Mamas Banana Pudding Recipe.
- Use an electric mixer to get smooth pudding results. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature!
- For best results, allow the banana pudding to chill for at least 4 hours, overnight is best!
- Store banana pudding covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Video
Nutrition
This creamy, rich Banana Pudding Recipe is a delicious, no-bake dessert! Perfect for weeknights or potlucks, everyone will LOVE this classic recipe!
Are you miserable or something? Cuz you sound like it girl get a hold of your emotions. Getting irritated at strangers on the internet 👀
I am not a fan of Bananas, but would love to do this with vanilla pudding. Could you tell me if that would work?
She states you can use vanilla
I thought it was a little too stiff. I believe the milk could be increased by another cup and it would still be thick, but not quite as stiff.
Do you cook the sweetened condensed milk?
No
I have before when i forget about it at the store & didn’t feel like going back for it. Just don’t make it too sweet.
Do you cook the sweetened condensed milk?
This 4 layer banana pudding is the best,loved by all ages.
By using the condensed milk is it not TOO sweet?? thanks!
I like to make my own whipped topping with heavy cream which helps cut down the sweetness from the other ingredients
How long does it last in the fridge?
She states Two days in the fridge
Hello. Iam excited about attempting to make this dessert! I have never been a baker . I have been spending alot of time in-home with kids and found myself experiementing more with baking, with the kids! I welcome your feedback on the below questions. What pudding mixture did you use to receive your best results (bananna cream, french vanilla, etc)? Did you use the whipping cream or cool whip ? If whipping cream was it heavy or regular? Did you use the cream cheese? I am a fan of the shortbread chessman cookies; however, what cookies did you use (vanilla wafers, chessman, lora doones, biscottis)?
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Did you even read the text….yes she used Chessman
Did you read the recipe and the text…yes she used Chessman
Wow… Alyx, you sound like you live a very miserable life. So, so sad. Maybe you need to stuff yourself with some of this amazing banana pudding!
I think Anita is asking for the opinions of readers who have followed the recipe and made changes. What gave *them* better results. Anita, I personally prefer Nilla Wafers and do find the dessert a bit sweet. I may try with heavy whipping cream. You could take a couple of the tablespoons of the pudding mix to add to the cream before whipping it in order to stabilize it.
Do you have to use cream cheese
No you don’t I never have and it comes out perfect. It’s thick without the cream cheese.
I make this tonight with 2 packs of the cookies, but 2 packs aren’t enough I had to go get 1 more to fill up my 9×13 dish.
I don’t use condensed milk. Can I omit it or what can I use as a substitute.
I made this for a get-together@ my Stepson, it was so DELICIOUS 😋 I got so many compliments on it. I’ll definitely make it again 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋
Pretty sure no substitute for condensed milk….
I made this but I used Biscotti cookies instead chessman
That sounds delicious!
Before i purchase the Chessmen cookies, do they typically come in a 24 count?
If so I need 2 bags of the 24 count correct?
Yes, you need two bags
Thank you
Tho is the best Banana pudding I’ve ever made, it would be really good with fresh fruit on top😋😋😋😋
Recipe states 2 bags
I used 2 1/2 it depends on the dish size your using
I’m so excited to try this recipe. I also could
not find a large box of the French Vanilla
pudding. I saw where you answered another
person that they could use two small boxes of the Banana
pudding. Would that also apply to the French Vanilla?
Wouldnt you think the same would apply…lol
This is absolutely one of the best desserts I’ve ever made I take it everywhere I go and everybody runs to me and asked me what it is I do use banana cream pudding instant I have to make this a couple times a month my kids friends asked me to make it all the time when I come over
I use Lorna doones
Hello. That is wonderful it came out great for you! What pudding mixare you using (bananna cream, french vanilla, etc)? Did you use the whipping cream or cool whip ? Did youuse the cream cheese? I am a fan of the chessman cookies; however, what cookie did you use to make this the best dessert?
Did you READ the entire text? Geezes
Alyx, RELAX!!! Good grief!!
Who are you and why are you commenting under everyone’s comments?
You’re a twit. Maybe you added too much salt in YOUR recipe.
You’re an idiot, Alyx
Alyx, please consider being kind.
Please be kind.
I’ve made this banana pudding recipe and everyone loves it. Thank you for sharing.
How do you get the pudding that consistency I’ve been making this pudding for years it never comes out like the pic
Hmmm, I make this all the time, are you sure you’re using the same ingredients?
That’s weird I’ve never had it not come out thick and that’s the best part everybody loves that it stays together like that
Mine is always thick because I use almond milk!
I’m wondering if I can use sugar free instant pudding mix and almond milk.
Maybe because all the other ingredients are mixed in…ya think?
Must you always be so nasty
I made this for the cowboys on the ranch and they LOVED it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh wow! My husband and daughter love banana pudding, so this was such a hit and so fun to make with my daughter! Can’t wait to make this dessert again. Such a yummy and delicious treat!