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Overhead shot of a pan of chessman banana pudding with a few servings taken out.
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Chessman Banana Pudding

A cool, no-bake Southern dessert that layers buttery Chessmen cookies, sweet bananas, and creamy vanilla pudding. It comes together in minutes, then chills until it's ready to serve, which makes it a make-ahead favorite for any potluck or cookout.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword chessman banana pudding, chessmen banana pudding
Prep Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 20 people
Calories 256kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 inch dish

Ingredients

  • 2 (3.4 ounce) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 4 cups cold milk
  • 3 (7.25 ounce) packages Pepperidge Farm Chessmen butter cookies
  • 4 large ripe bananas, sliced
  • 2 (8 ounce) cartons frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

Instructions

  • Beat the milk and pudding mix in a large bowl with a whisk for 2 minutes, according to package directions. Refrigerate until soft set and ready to use.
    Whisking the vanilla pudding.
  • Arrange 20 cookies (or as many as fit) in a single layer in the bottom of a deep 9 x 13-inch dish.
    A layer of chessman cookies in the dish.
  • Arrange half of the banana slices in a single layer on top of the cookies.
    A layer of sliced bananas on top of the cookies.
  • Spread half of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
    Spreading the vanilla pudding layer.
  • Top with another layer of 20 cookies, the remaining banana slices, and the remaining pudding mixture.
    Horizontal overhead shot showing how to layer the ingredients for an easy no bake chessman banana pudding recipe.
  • Add a layer of whipped topping, and then evenly arrange a final layer of 20 cookies on top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
    Overhead shot of a fully assembled pan of chessman banana pudding.

Video

Notes

  • Soft-set first: Let the whisked pudding chill for a few minutes before layering, so the layers hold their shape and don't slide.
  • Banana tip: Use ripe but firm bananas and slice them just before layering to limit browning.
  • Cookie swaps: Nilla wafers or shortbread work well in place of Chessmen, and Biscoff adds a warm, spiced note.
  • French vanilla: Swap in French vanilla instant pudding for a deeper flavor.
  • Richer version: For the classic Paula Deen style, beat 1 (8-ounce) block of softened cream cheese and 1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk into the prepared pudding. Then fold in a tub of Cool Whip.
  • Make ahead and store: Best assembled a day ahead, since the flavor and texture improve overnight. Keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/20 of the recipe | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 0.1mg