Every family has that one dish everyone hopes will show up at the summer cookout. For us? It’s this creamy, dreamy banana pudding recipe. It isn’t just easy and make-ahead friendly—it’s layered with rich flavor, silky texture, and nostalgia. And yes, it’s so good it once got Paula Deen’s stamp of approval (sort of). Whether you’re hosting or heading out, this is the dessert that’ll steal the spotlight.

best banana pudding recipe chessmen cookies

Truth is, I don’t think a summer gathering feels complete without a big pan of cookie-crusted banana pudding chilling in someone’s fridge. It’s cool, comforting, and disappears faster than your cousin can ask, “Wait, who made this?” From Memorial Day to Labor Day—and honestly, any Tuesday in between—it’s the dessert that makes people smile before they’ve even grabbed a plate.

I still remember when I first stumbled across this banana pudding recipe. It was a slow Saturday morning, and I was soaking up my Food Network favorites—Paula Deen was on, reading a viewer letter gushing about their mama’s famous banana pudding. Naturally, Paula raised an eyebrow (you know the one) and all but said, “Bless her heart, but let’s see if it’s better than mine.”

Cue the producers with all the ingredients ready to go, and just like that, Paula was whipping it up live. And when she gave that first bite a big ol’ Southern thumbs-up? That was all I needed. I made it that weekend—and just about every summer since.

But here’s the thing: over the years, I’ve made a few quiet tweaks. A richer pudding base. Real whipped cream when I’ve got the time. A clever little cookie-trimming trick for a tidy, polished finish. Nothing fancy—just small upgrades that add up to something pretty special. It’s become my signature potluck dessert. And if you make it once? Don’t be surprised if people start calling it yours.

Ingredients That Make All the Difference

While the printable recipe card below gives you the full scoop, let’s take a minute to talk through why these ingredients matter—and how to make smart swaps if your pantry is running low or your guests have dietary needs.

Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies

These buttery shortbread-style cookies make this pudding look and taste a little extra. If you can’t find Chessmen, Nilla Wafers or Lorna Doone shortbread cookies will do the trick. Just know the look and flavor will change a bit—still delicious, just different.

Ripe Bananas

The sweeter, the better. If yours are still a bit green, place them in a paper bag overnight to speed things up.

Whole Milk

This helps keep the pudding base rich and creamy. You can use 2% in a pinch, but I’d skip skim milk—it’s too thin and doesn’t deliver that same silky texture.

French Vanilla Instant Pudding (5 oz box)

Go with instant—not cook-and-serve—for that smooth, no-fuss finish. French vanilla adds a deeper, more custard-like flavor, but regular vanilla will work just fine if that’s what you have on hand.

Cream Cheese, Softened

This gives the pudding body and a slight tang that balances the sweetness. Let it come to room temperature for easier mixing—your wrist (and your mixer) will thank you.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

The magic ingredient that ties it all together. Rich, creamy, and sweet without overdoing it. Don’t confuse this with evaporated milk—they are not the same.

Heavy Whipping Cream

Whip it with a little sugar and vanilla for an ultra-decadent topping. In a time crunch? Thawed Cool Whip is a perfectly acceptable substitute. Just don’t try to use canned whipped cream—it won’t hold up.

Granulated Sugar + Pure Vanilla Extract

Just a couple tablespoons of sugar and a splash of good-quality vanilla bring everything together in the whipped cream. If you’re using Cool Whip, you can skip these.

Need a gluten-free option? Swap in your favorite gluten-free shortbread cookies. Dairy-free? Use plant-based cream cheese and whipped topping, and a dairy-free milk alternative like oat milk. Just know the final texture may vary slightly.

MORE: Homemade Peach Cobbler Just Like Grandma Used to Make

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Pudding

Soften the Cream Cheese First

Start by taking your cream cheese out of the fridge a couple of hours ahead of time so it can soften. Trust me, trying to mix cold cream cheese is like wrestling a brick—let it relax a little while you gather the rest of your ingredients and tools.

Choose the Right Pan

Now, let’s talk pans. If I’m bringing this dessert to a gathering (which I usually am), I grab a disposable 9×13 aluminum pan. It travels well, looks tidy, and best of all—no one has to return the dish. Any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have them) can stay behind with the host or get scooped up by guests for “just one more bite.”

Line the Bottom with Cookies

Start by lining the bottom of your pan with cookies from one bag of Pepperidge Farm Chessmen. If you’re using a pan with rounded corners (like those disposable ones), those square cookies won’t quite tuck into the corners. My fix? Snip the corners off four cookies using kitchen shears so they fit neatly. It’s a small step, but it makes the finished dish look tidy and intentional.

Mix the Filling in Stages

Next, you’ll mix up your pudding base and creamy filling in a few bowls—yes, it’s a little dish-heavy, but they’ll wash up easily, so don’t fret. The process is simple and goes quickly.

Add the Final Cookie Layer

Once you’ve poured that luscious banana-pudding mixture over your cookie layer, it’s time to add the second bag of cookies on top. By now, your pan flares out a bit, so there’s no need to trim those top cookies—they fit beautifully right out of the bag.

Use Real Whipped Cream (or Not)

Let’s take a quick moment to talk whipped cream. I prefer to make my own using heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla—it gives the dessert a rich, homemade touch that’s hard to beat. But if you’re short on time (or just not in the mood), a tub of thawed Cool Whip will work just fine. Just make sure it’s fully thawed—overnight in the fridge is your best bet.

Chill Before Serving

Once it’s assembled, cover your pudding and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours (longer if you can). This helps everything set and gives the cookies time to soften just enough to become melt-in-your-mouth magic.

How Long Does Banana Pudding Last?

Banana pudding is one of those desserts that actually gets better after a little rest—but it does have a sweet spot. Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator, and they’ll keep for up to 3–4 days. That said, it’s definitely at its best on days 1 and 2, when the cookies are perfectly softened and the bananas still look cheerful.

By day 3, the flavor is still dreamy, but the bananas may start to brown a bit—that’s just their natural way of saying, “Time’s up!” If you’re making this ahead, I recommend assembling it the night before or the morning of your gathering for the best texture and taste.

MORE: Easiest 3-Ingredient Cake Recipes with Pie Filling: The Best Cake Hack for Busy Bakers

best banana pudding recipe chessmen cookies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Banana Pudding

Here it is—the most decadent, beautiful, no-fuss banana pudding that’ll steal the show at any gathering. With layers of creamy filling, ripe bananas, and those buttery Chessmen cookies, this make-ahead dessert is a hit with all ages. It’s so good, your people will ask for it by name. (Might as well go ahead and name it after yourself now.)

Prep Time30

Cook Time0

Chill Time2

Total Time2 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 570kcal

Ingredients

2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies
8 medium ripe bananas
2 cups whole milk
1 5-oz box Instant French Vanilla Pudding
1 8-oz package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp white granulated sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Soften the cream cheese: Take it out of the fridge about 2 hours in advance.
Line the pan: Place cookies from one bag across the bottom of a 9x13 pan. If using a pan with rounded corners, trim four cookies with kitchen shears so they fit snugly.
Mix the pudding: In a large bowl, combine milk and pudding mix. Blend well using a hand mixer.
Make the cream cheese layer: In a smaller bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Combine: Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding and stir with a spoon until fully incorporated.
Whip the cream: In the bowl used for the cream cheese, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until medium-stiff peaks form.
Fold: Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
Add bananas: Slice the bananas and stir them gently into the filling.
Assemble: Pour the banana pudding mixture over the bottom cookie layer and smooth it out evenly.
Top it off: Arrange the remaining cookies from the second bag on top.
Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or longer if you have time.

Notes

Serving Tip: For potlucks or parties, use a disposable aluminum 9x13 pan—no dish to track down later!

Banana Tip: Use bananas that are fully yellow with a few brown speckles. Too green? They won’t be sweet enough. Too brown? They’ll turn mushy.

Whipped Cream Tip: Use 1 (12-oz) tub of thawed Cool Whip in place of the whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Make-Ahead Magic: Best when made the night before. The cookies soften into the perfect cake-like texture.

Dairy-free? Try using plant-based whipped topping and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.

Gluten-free? Substitute with a certified GF cookie like Schär shortbread.

Nutrition

Question: What’s your go-to dessert for summer potlucks—the one you bring home empty every time? Spill your secret in the comments below.

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Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
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Mrs L Smith says:

July 3, 2025 at 3:49 pm

Wow! Thank you for sharing this easy to prepare, super delicious dessert. I prepared as directed with French Vanilla pudding except I didn’t stir in the sliced bananas. Some guests aren’t banana fans. I placed a layer of cookies in tbe bottom of a 9×9 pan. Added the filling and topped with another layer of cookies. Cover and let set in fridge overnight.
Top with sliced bananas for those that like them. The rectangular cookie shape makes for a nice serving guide.
Everyone loved it! Even the no-banana people. Rich and creamy.

Amber B says:

June 24, 2025 at 10:56 am

I prepared this pretty much according to recipe, but opted to use Cool Whip instead of whipping cream. I prepared this two days in advance before a family reunion. To say that it was a big hit is an understatement! It got rave reviews from all who tried it, and I was directed to make it again for next year!

Christine Mazur says:

June 8, 2025 at 3:11 pm

Using a whole can of condensed milk and finding it cloyingly sweet,
I settled on a Mashup of Paula Deen’s and Kardea Brown’s recipes with my own tweaks using just one bowl to mix the filling;
I start with
1/2 can condensed milk
4 oz softened cream cheese and mix in stand mixer until smooth.
Add 2 c whole milk until combined
Add 1 pkg sugar free vanilla pudding and mix
Add 2/3 C sour cream and mix
Add 1t vanilla bean paste
Fold in 8-12 oz cool whip (plenty of sugar in there, too, plus the stabilizers help the finished product firm up)
I like to layer this mixture in a trifle bowl with banana slices and the yes/no/maybe printed butter/shortbread rounds (thin, and widely available in Dollar type stores) with some of the rounds vertical on the sides of the bowl.
I think they keys are the richness and tang of the cream cheese and sour cream, along with cutting some of the sugar out but leaving plenty still in.

Bernice Slade says:

June 8, 2025 at 2:56 pm

This recipe is almost identical to the Paula Deen Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding which is very good. And I’m sure this recipe is just as good.

Jordan says:

June 8, 2025 at 9:56 am

Why do recipes include boxed pudding?

Add whatever crust you want. Cookies, make your own, etc.

But please use pudding mix only as an “if you don’t feel like making a recipe” alternative.

Mary says:

June 8, 2025 at 4:55 am

The pudding sounds delicious but I don’t like bananas, can I use a different fruit, berries maybe? Or a bit extra vanilla and call it vanilla pudding?

Mary Hunt says:
June 10, 2025 at 9:10 pm

Have never tried these substitutes but let us know how that goes if you give it a go.

Linda says:

July 3, 2023 at 12:21 pm

I make this frequently for potlucks but make a few changes. I use vanilla wafers (more economical), cool whip, only 2-3 bananas sliced and placed in a layer on top of the bottom row of cookies.

Karla says:
July 3, 2023 at 1:12 pm

Linda, I also use vanilla wafers and layer pudding/cool whip/bananas/vanilla wafers trifle style in a bowl. Mary’s version sounds delicious and decadent and I may try it, but the simple layered banana pudding is still a hit!

The Best Banana Pudding Recipe for Summer Gatherings