Easy Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding (Paula Deen's Recipe) (2024)

This Southern Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding recipe has a rich and creamy filling layered with buttery chessmen cookies and fresh sliced bananas. This indulgent Paula Deen recipe is easy to make and perfect for potlucks or family gatherings. This twist on classic banana pudding will will quickly become your new favorite dessert!

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Why You'll Love This Southern Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding Recipe!

Love Easy Dessert Recipes? Try These Next!

I love banana pudding because it is easy to make and is always a huge hit. This family favorite is layers of sweet pudding, bananas and cookies. I've even made this Strawberry Banana Pudding that has been a very popular recipe on the site.

But I love Paula Deen's version because it is incredibly easy! There are not multiple layers in a trifle dish but it still looks pretty! And the pudding is unbelievably creamy, luscious and velvety smooth. You could just make the pudding and eat it with a spoon! It is that good.

• Easy To Make- assembled in a 13x9 inch pan so that it comes together easily.
• Makes A Lot- Perfect for a large family gathering when you have a crowd to feed.
• No Baking- this comes together without turning on the stove or oven for quick no-bake easy dessert.

Equipment Needed

13x9 inch pan

2 large mixing bowls

handheld electric mixer or stand mixer

Key Ingredients

chessmen cookies- look for Pepperidge Farms chessmen cookies. They are a butter cookie that adds a nice crust and topping for the banana pudding recipe.
bananas- to keep your bananas looking their best get bananas that are not speckled or overly ripe.

pudding - Instant vanilla pudding will make this dessert come together quickly without cooking.

milk- a cold liquid is required to activate the instant pudding and whole milk will give it a creamy texture.

heavy cream-this will make the pudding even creamier and richer than just using milk.

whipped topping- adds a light fluffy texture to the pudding mixture

cream cheese-makes this dessert extra smooth and creamy.

sweetened condensed milk-is sweet and rich. Do not confuse this with canned evaporated milk. They are completely different.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Add an even layer of chessmen cookies in the bottom of your 13x9 inch pan to form the crust. Open both bags and use any broken cookies for the bottom layer and save the unbroken cookies for the top.

Add the heavy cream, milk and vanilla pudding mix to a large bowl. Use a whisk or a hand mixer to mix the pudding for 2 minutes or until the pudding is combined and begins to thicken.

In a separate bowl add the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. It is very important to bring the cream cheese to room temperature so that it is easier to mix and doesn't leave the pudding lumpy. This will make the homemade banana pudding recipe extra rich, thick and sweet! Use the mixer to thoroughly mix until all of the lumps of cream cheese are smooth.

Next use a spatula to fold in the whipped cream.

Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and fold in using the spatula.

Slice the banana and add a layer of bananas to the dish covering the chessmen cookies.

Spread the creamy mixture over the bananas and then top with the remaining cookies in nice even rows.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Storage

Because of the milk and cream cheese in this recipe it must be refrigerated. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 48 hours.

Substitutions And Additions

instant pudding mix- I like using the vanilla pudding flavor so that the bananas stand out but you can also use banana cream flavor pudding for a more intense banana flavor. Just make sure you get instant pudding mix that does not need to be cooked.

chessmen cookies- these are a little different from most banana pudding recipes that use vanilla wafers cookies. If you prefer vanilla wafers you can use that to make the cookie layer instead of chessmen cookies. You could also use shortbread cookies if you can not find chessmen cookies.

whipped topping- if you are not a fan of Cool Whip or whipped topping you could make your own homemade whipped cream.

heavy cream- using this to make the pudding makes it rich and creamy. You can use a cup of milk instead.

Make Ahead

Because of the bananas this dessert isn't recommended to make ahead more than a day in advance. Ideally it is best to make early and serve the same day, giving around 4 hours to properly set up in the refrigerator.

See Also

Coffee Chia Seed Pudding

Expert Tips

• Do not use overly ripe bananas for the banana pudding because they will brown faster. Fresh bananas that are a bit green still will work better in the pudding.
• Make the filling before slicing the bananas so the banana slices are exposed to air for less time.
• Use room temperature cream cheese so that it mixes well with the other pudding ingredients and does not leave any lumps.
• If your whipped topping is frozen thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours before assembling.
• Open both bags or cookies and use any broken cookies for the bottom layer.

How Do You keep Bananas From Turning Brown In Banana Pudding?

I wait to cut mine after I make the filling and am ready to assemble, this way they are exposed to air for less time. If you are wanting to take extra precautions you can give the bananas a little squeeze of lemon juice to help prevent browning.