Chessmen Banana Pudding

Softened buttery short bread cookies with fresh sliced bananas wrapped in a thick and creamy pudding mixture makes this Chessmen Banana Pudding irresistible! Banana Pudding may be a classic dessert - but there is nothing old or boring about this sweet treat.

Creamy, rich and delicious this no-bake, layered dessert is to die for. For someone who is not usually a banana pudding fan, this Paula Deen inspired version is so, so good. (That woman knows her way around a banana pudding!)

One of the things I love about this recipe is just how much it makes. There is no need to double this recipe for big gatherings or if you want leftovers. Chessmen Banana Pudding is the perfect dessert for all your summer picnics, parties and gatherings.

And if you are looking for other great summer picnic recipes don't forget to check out our Mango Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken, BBQ Sandwiches, Corn on the Cob, or Key Lime Pie.

Jump to:

• 🧂 Ingredients
• 🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
• 💭 Top Tips
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Make it Your Own
• 📋  FAQ's

🧂 Ingredients

Chessmen Banana Pudding is the perfect no-bake layered dessert for all occasions. With a few ingredients you will be well on your way.

Homemade Graham Cracker Crust

• Graham Crackers
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Salted Butter
• Milk

Banana Pudding

• Cream Cheese
• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Milk
• Instant Vanilla Pudding
• Vanilla Extract
• Whipped Topping
• Bananas
• Chessmen Cookies

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

Firstly, we need to prepare our homemade graham cracker crust for the bottom of our Chessmen Banana Pudding. Using a blender or heavy rolling pin crush the graham crackers until they are a ground powder with small crumbs. Then combine the graham cracker powder/crumbs with your sugar, salt and cinnamon mixing them with a fork to combine.

Secondly add the softened butter and 1 teaspoon of your milk to the dry crust mixture. Then using a fork mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Once mostly mixed you can switch to using your hands to finish working the butter through the crumbs.

When you can squeeze the mixture in your hand and it doesn't crumble that means it is ready. If your mixture seems to be still too dry go ahead and add the second teaspoon of milk and mix again.

Then when ready add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom of your baking dish. Press the crumbs down into place to create your crust layer. When complete place the dish in the fridge so your Chessmen Banana Pudding crust has an opportunity to set.

Pudding Mixture

Meanwhile we can go ahead and prepare our chessmen banana pudding mixture. You will need to first combine the cold milk, pudding mix and vanilla until they are smooth. Let sit for a few minutes to set while you prepare the other half of the mixture.

Then in a second larger bowl beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until they are smooth. I would definitely suggest using a hand mixer or stand mixer for this.

When the lumps are gone go ahead and add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir together until combined.

Lastly we need to then fold in the whipped topping to the pudding and cream mixture. When all mixed set your mixture aside for layering.

Bananas

After the mixture is prepared it is time to slice your bananas. We love using our banana slicer for this. But if you don't have one just try to get the bananas as even as possible so that they are less than 1 inch thick.

Layering your Chessmen Banana Pudding

Next up we need to assemble the layers of our banana pudding. Start out by spreading a thin layer of the cream mixture over the prepared graham cracker crust. Next layer roughly half of the banana slices over the cream.

Then spoon half of the cream in to the dish and spread evenly. Using the remaining bananas, arrange a second layer over the cream. Afterwards add the remaining cream and spread evenly over the second layer of bananas.

Lastly complete the dish with a top layer of chessmen cookies. Cover your dish tightly with cling wrap or a lid and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours or overnight, before serving.

💭 Top Tips

• Base - If you prefer or are in a pinch you can definitely use the Chessmen cookies for the bottom layer/crust in place of the homemade graham cracker crust. Instead place a single layer of chessmen cookies side by side so they cover the entire bottom of the dish like a "crust". Then continue with the steps as listed.
• Bananas - Stick with firm yet ripened bananas. As this dish has a chance to chill the bananas will soften up.
• Baking Dish - Use the deepest 13x9 dish you own. Use an electric mixer to get smooth pudding and cream cheese mixtures
• Refrigerate - The longer the dish chills in the fridge the softer your cookies will become. Do NOT rush this. Make sure you give at least 6 hours for chilling - if not more. So be sure to plan ahead!
• Prepare in Advance - I love to prepare it the night before serving so it’s one less thing I have to do when meal time comes around. Depending on how soft or slightly crunchy you want your cookies to be, is how long you need to plan for it to sit in the fridge. I think it totally tastes better if you let it sit overnight, but that’s me.

👩🏻‍🍳 Make it Your Own

If you really wanted to amp up that banana flavor you could try using a banana pudding flavored mix in place of the vanilla – or if using two small boxes try it with one of each!

Another way to make this Chessmen Banana Pudding your own is to change up the cookie topping or graham cracker base. Any vanilla cookie alternative will do for either the topping or base. Vanilla wafers, ladyfingers, graham crackers and Chessmen are all great choices.

But I will say - once you try it Chessmen cookies you'll never look back. Those softened shortbread cookies take on an almost moist cake-like texture and it is so, so good.

Chessmen Banana Pudding

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Chill Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes

Fresh banana slices wrapped in a thick creamy pudding and topped with soft, buttery cookies make this no bake layered dessert a real win!

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Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups milk
• 1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix (5.1 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 ounces whipped topping, thawed
• 8-10 bananas, sliced
• 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies

Graham Cracker Crust

• 2 sleeves of graham crackers, crushed
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons butter, salted
• 1-2 teaspoons milk

Instructions

1. Using a blender or heavy rolling pin crush the graham crackers until they are a ground powder.
2. In a bowl combine the graham cracker powder/crumbs with the sugar, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add the softened butter and 1 teaspoon of milk to the dry mixture and mix well with a fork. Once mostly mixed use your hands to finish working the butter through the crumbs. When you can squeeze the mixture in your hand and it doesn't crumble it is ready. If still too dry add the second teaspoon of milk and mix again.
4. Add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom of the baking dish. Press the crumbs down into place to create your crust layer. Place the dish in the fridge to set for 10 minutes.
5. While the crust is setting, in a large bowl beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth using an electric mixer.
6. In a second bowl combine the milk, pudding mix and vanilla until smooth.
7. Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir till combined.
8. Fold in the whipped topping to the pudding and cream mixture and set aside.
9. Slice the bananas as evenly as possible so that they are less than 1 inch thick.
10. When ready to assemble the layers spread a thin layer of the cream over the prepared graham cracker crust.
11. Next layer roughly half of the banana slices over the cream.
12. Spoon half of the remaining cream in to the dish and spread evenly.
13. Using the remaining bananas, arrange a second layer over the cream.
14. Add the remaining cream and spread evenly over the second layer of bananas.
15. Complete the dish with a final layer of chessman cookies.
16. Cover tightly with cling wrap or a lid and place the dish in the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours or overnight, before serving.

Notes

• If you prefer you can definitely use the Chessmen cookies for the bottom layer/crust in place of the homemade graham cracker crust. Instead place a single layer of chessmen cookies side by side so they cover the entire bottom of the dish like a "crust". Then continue with the steps as listed.
• The longer the dish chills in the fridge the softer your cookies will become. Do NOT rush this. Make sure you give at least 6 hours for chilling - if not more.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 548Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 366mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 3gSugar: 60gProtein: 8g

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