The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
The Best Banana Pudding Recipe is the perfect no bake dessert! Layers of Chessmen Cookies, fresh banana slices, and a sweet mixture of whipped cream cheese, vanilla pudding, Cool Whip, and sweetened condensed milk–this treat is sure to wow!
The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
The classic banana pudding dessert has long been a family favorite for all sorts of occasions. But ever since we tried this Chessman Banana Pudding Recipe we all agree it’s the new favorite!
Similar to the famous Paula Deen banana pudding recipe called Not Your Mama’s Banana Pudding, this is made with Pepperidge Farm’s Chessmen Cookies which look so nice and taste delicious. The dessert will chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours to set and the cookies soften.
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The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the banana pudding (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):
- Milk – We used whole milk, but skim, 1%, or 2% would work as well.
- Instant vanilla pudding – Be sure to use instant and not the cook & serve type of pudding.
- Cream cheese – We use full-fat cream cheese, but you could use reduced fat if you prefer.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Any brand you like will work perfectly.
- Cool Whip – We used a store brand whipped topping, which is the same as Cool Whip.
- Chessmen Cookies – Find these in the cookie section of your grocery store with the Pepperidge Farm cookies.
- Bananas – You should just need 6 bananas, but if they’re on the smaller side you may need to use up to 8.
How to Make Banana Pudding
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the milk and vanilla pudding; whisk until thickened the set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together until smooth.
Fold in the Cool Whip until well blended. This is best done with a rubber spatula.
Next, gently mix in the vanilla pudding. Set the cream mixture aside.
Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan with a single layer of the Chessmen cookies.
Tip: Inevitably some of the cookies will be broken in the package. Use the broken cookies for the bottom layer and reserve the best looking cookies for the top.Â
Place the sliced bananas on top of the cookies in an even layer.
Pour the pudding mixture over the bananas.
Spread the cream layer out evenly.
Top with a final layer of Chessmen cookies.
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, then slice and serve.
Can Banana Pudding be Made Ahead?
Yes, the banana pudding can easily be a make ahead dessert. Simply put it together the night before you plan to serve the dessert and chill it in the refrigerator overnight. Slice and serve the next day.
Can the Banana Pudding be Made with Nilla Wafers?
If you’re still a big fan of the traditional Nilla Wafers, you can certainly swap them in for the Chessmen Cookies.
How to store leftovers
Keep the leftover pudding in the refrigerator covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to three days.
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The Best Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 5 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 8 ounce container Cool Whip thawed
- 2 packages Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
- 6 bananas peeled and sliced
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the milk and vanilla pudding; whisk until thickened the set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together until smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip until well blended, then mix in the vanilla pudding; set aside.
- Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with a single layer of the Chessmen cookies.
- Place the sliced bananas on top of the cookies in an even layer.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the bananas, then top with a final layer of Chessmen cookies.
- Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, then slice and serve.
This was Delicious!