Want to make the kind of dessert that people can’t stop talking about? Enter Paula Deen Banana Pudding!
Follow my 5 easy steps to making this Not yo mama’s banana pudding and don’t be surprised when you get requests from friends and family to make it again and again!
This is Not Your Mama’s Banana Pudding
Paula Deen knows her stuff, so it’s no surprise that this homemade banana pudding recipe is so popular, officially earning the nickname of Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding.
This Paula Deen recipe is amazing as is, so I didn’t change any of the ingredients. However, I changed the preparation method so you only have to use one bowl! I love one bowl dessert recipes because it means less dishes!
Paula likes to prep the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a separate bowl from the pudding mixture, but there is really no need to make them separately. Simply beat the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl first, then add in the pudding mix and milk, blending until combined.
Why You’ll Love This Version of Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding Recipe
- Right amount of banana flavor
- Iconic recipe made simpler
- No baking required
- Paula Deen Banana Pudding Recipe will become a family favorite dessert
How do you make Paula Deen’s Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding?
This delicious dessert takes a popular original recipe and kicks it up a notch! Get detailed instructions and measurements in the recipe card below.
1. Layer cookies. Cover the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan with 1 bag of chessman cookies.
2. Add bananas. Layer banana slices over the cookies, this will be about 6-8 bananas depending on their size.
3. Make pudding mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, beating with an electric mixer until smooth. Add in the instant pudding mix and milk, and beat until combined. Allow the pudding to rest for 5 minutes to thicken.
4. Fold in the cool whip. It’s difficult to find 12 oz containers of cool whip, so I used 1 & 1/2, 8 oz containers. Mix until fully combined. Spread this mixture over the banana layer.
5. Top and chill. Top with the remaining bag of cookies. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
Chessman Banana Pudding Tips
- Soften the cream cheese. If you try to make this recipe without softening the cream cheese first, the cream cheese mixture can be lumpy. For a smooth texture, leave time to soften the cream cheese before preparing this recipe.
- Refrigerate before enjoying. Be sure to leave time for chilling this banana pudding recipe before serving! The chilling time allows all of the ingredients to meld together and become perfectly cold, as banana pudding should be.
Chessman Banana Pudding Variations
- Make the banana flavor bolder. For a more intense banana flavor, you can use banana pudding mix instead of vanilla.
- Make it chocolate banana pudding. If you love the combination of chocolate and banana, change it up by using chocolate pudding mix instead of vanilla.
- Make it more like the classic recipe. You can substitute Pepperidge Farms chessmen cookies for vanilla wafer cookies if you prefer them or can’t find chessman cookies.
Can you freeze Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding?
For best results I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. The process of freezing and thawing will alter the texture of the pudding as well as cause the bananas to become mushy and brown.
