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Not Yo Momma’s Paula Deen Banana Pudding is a fluffy mixture of creamy pudding and whipped cream with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Plus it’s served with Chessman Cookies on the bottom and on top!
I loved banana pudding anything as a little girl. If lip smackers had been smart when I was entering jr high they would have made bank off of a lip gloss for banana pudding anything.
Did you buy Lip Smackers as well? Something like, white cake batter, or Dr Pepper? Those were the good ol’ days.
Table of Contents
- Paula Deen’s Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding
- Ingredients for Not Yo Momma’s Banana Pudding
- Substitute for Chessman Cookies
- How to Make Paula Deen Banana Pudding
- How Do You Keep Bananas from Turning Brown in Banana Pudding?
- How Long Will Banana Pudding Keep?
- Can You Substitute Real Whipped Cream Instead Of Cool Whip In Recipes?
- What Is The Difference Between Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk?
- Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe
- Paula Deen’s Not Yo Momma’s Banana Pudding Recipe
Paula Deen’s Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding
Paula Deen Banana Pudding, or the full name, Paula Deen’s Not Yo Momma’s (or Mama’s) Banana Pudding is a little bit deceiving so I just want to get this out of the way first, it’s not a banana pudding recipe.
I mean, it is. There are banana slices under the pudding. But the actual pudding is a french vanilla pudding whipped up with sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese.
That’s a legit pudding dessert.
Ingredients for Not Yo Momma’s Banana Pudding
Here’s your quick grocery list to make your banana pudding with Chessman Cookies.
- Chessman Cookies: traditionally used in a classic recipe for banana pudding and can be found on the cookie aisle
- Fun Fact: This recipe is sometimes known as Chessman banana pudding!
- French Vanilla Instant Pudding Box: make sure it is instant pudding and not cook & serve pudding
- Cool Whip: if you can’t find a 12oz tub of Cool Whip, use 1 and half of the 8oz tubs
- Cream Cheese: make sure it is room temperature so that it doesn’t get lumpy
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: adds sweetness and creaminess to the dessert
- Milk: combines with the pudding mix the create the pudding
- Bananas: ripe bananas are the best for their sweetness and bold banana flavor
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Substitute for Chessman Cookies
Vanilla Wafers are the best substitute for Chessman cookies if you can’t find them. Chessman Cookies are usually by the Pepperidge Farm brand so look by the Mint Milano cookies.
How to Make Paula Deen Banana Pudding
- Set the Cool Whip in the fridge or on the counter for a faster thaw.
- Whisk milk and the instant pudding mix together in a small bowl.
- In another bowl, blend the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk with a handheld electric mixer.
- Fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture.
- Stir together the vanilla pudding mixture and cream cheese mixture.
- Layer 1 bagof cookies on the bottom of a 9×13 dish, top the cookies with a layer of bananas.
- Pile on the pudding.
- Top with the remaining cookies.
- Refrigerate until set.
The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card down below. Keep scrolling down for all the details.
How Do You Keep Bananas from Turning Brown in Banana Pudding?
You can toss your bananas in a little lemon juice before adding them to the pudding to help keep them from browning. But I feel this isn’t necessary. You merely need to place the pudding directly on the bananas and spread evenly to seal it from the air.
How Long Will Banana Pudding Keep?
Banana pudding will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator. It should be well wrapped in plastic wrap.
Can You Substitute Real Whipped Cream Instead Of Cool Whip In Recipes?
To use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, you will need to add a stabilizing ingredient to the whipped cream, so that it holds its shape after being added to the recipe. This is done by making a stabilized whipped cream with gelatin.
What Is The Difference Between Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk?
The difference is sugar. Evaporated milk has no added sugar to it so it’s not sweet. Sweetened condensed milk has been sweetened with sugar and is thick and delicious.
Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe
I’ve actually been knocking around the idea of making a homemade banana pudding, but are people still into pudding? I love pudding, no that’s not true. I do not usually eat chocolate pudding, or chocolate ice cream actually; Cade loooooves it.
What do you all think? Would you like to learn how to make banana pudding from scratch? I’ve created a homemade banana pudding recipe for our banana cream pie. It is dreamy!
In the meantime, indulge in this Paula Deen Banana Pudding Recipe! It is pure comfort food in dessert form! There’s a reason it is served at almost every restaurant in the South…it’s heavenly.
Box Pudding Recipes
- Strawberry Pudding Cookies
- Golden Oreo Pudding
- Pudding Cheesecake Dip
- Banana Cream Pie
- The Best Banana Bundt Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pudding
- No Bake Chocolate Pie
Banana Recipes
- Banana Bread
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- My Favorite Banana Cake
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosted Chocolate Banana Cake
Paula Deen’s Not Yo Momma’s Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 14 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 12 Ounces Cool Whip
- 2 Bags Cookies, Chessman
- 6 Bananas, Sliced
- 2 Cups Milk, Whole
- 1 Box Pudding Mix, 5 oz, French Vanilla, instant
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened
Instructions
- Line a 9×13” pan with 1 bag of cookies and top with bananas.2 Bags Cookies, 6 Bananas
- In a bowl, whisk together the pudding and milk. Set aside.1 Box Pudding Mix, 2 Cups Milk
- In another bowl, using a handheld mixer beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.8 Ounces Cream Cheese, 14 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture.12 Ounces Cool Whip
- Fold the cream cheese mixture into the pudding mixture and spread over the bananas.
- Cover with the last bag of cookies and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.2 Bags Cookies
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This banana pudding recipe looks rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible—a true comfort dessert. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe twice with instant banana pudding and a teaspoon of banana extract, and it’s truly delicious. However, neither time did the pudding set up firm. I allowed plenty of refrigerator time. In fact, the second time, I made the pudding mixture a day ahead and refrigerated it for 24 hours before assembling the layers and refrigerating again. When I cut servings, the pudding would not hold its shape. Suggestions? Add some unflavored gelatin? If so, how much? Thanks for any guidance you can offer.
Hey Debby! I’m so sorry for the frustration! I’m trying to think what could be causing this problem! Are you making a 5oz box of pudding? That’s the bigger box. Was the pudding thick after you made it and let it set up? It should be quite thick and hold its shape when you cut and serve it.
It’s really delicious. I am 82 years old and to taste something like that she’s an old G. I love her.
Thank you so much Mary!!
Words can’t describe how delicious this pudding is! I have made it 4X in the last month as family & friends are requesting it regularly. It is so easy to make and truly makes the taste buds come alive. A big hit at every event. Thank u❣️
Yay!! Thank you so much Cynthia!
What are Chessman cookies? I don’t think we have those here in Canada. What could be substitute?
Hi Diane! Chessman cookies are a cookie commonly made by Pepperidge Farms. Do you have that brand there? Here’s a link to them on Amazon just so you can see what to look for (https://www.amazon.com/Pepperidge-Chessmen-Butter-Cookies-Packaging/dp/B0CH8SB9N7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3MNCVGS6NBWNP&keywords=chessman+cookies&qid=1699906967&sprefix=chessman%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-3). They make mint Milanos and a variety of other “gourmet” cookies. If you can’t find them, then Nilla Wafers would be the next best substitute.
Can I make my own whipped cream? Instead dog cool whip and still mix it in?
Of***
Yes, you definitely can but I would make stabilized whipped cream. Without a stabilizer, I think the pudding will be a little too loose and not keep its structure.
Is all the ingredients for this peanut free?
Yes as far as I know!
Was looking forward to making this but even with a wall of text you failed to provide simple step by step instructions for how to actually make this properly. What a waste of your time and your readers. Elaborate more on your instructions so people (doing this for the very first time) aren’t taking wild guesses at the unintentional gaps you’re leaving in your recipe description. Very disappointing.
Hi Jeff! Did you follow the instructions in the recipe card? That is where you will find all the detailed instructions for making the recipe. The instructions within the post are just there to give you a general idea of the steps involved. There are also pictures throughout the post that show each step. I’m so sorry for the frustration!
learn to “follow directions” Jeff! We all got it! it simply states all that you need to know on the recipe card! Have patience and do the right thing, give this girl a 5 star rating! Be nice!
Thanks for the support Suzanne!
Looking forward to making this! All my life we’ve made cream pies using fresh whipped cream folded into a whipped cream cheese mixture. I’ve never had to use a stabilizer. Do you find it necessary for this recipe? Is the flavor close to nilla wafer banana pudding? I’m sure I’ll figure out the answer to all my questions once I make it!😉
Hi Megan! If you do want to use real whipped cream, then I would recommend a stabilizer. If you don’t use it, the pudding is going to be a little loose and won’t hold it’s shape when you go to serve it. And this is way better than the nilla wafer banana pudding of course! At least in my opinion. I can’t wait for you to make it! Let us know!
I make this every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wouldn’t compare it to the original Southern Bananna Pudding. But is a quick and easy alternative. Oh and Jeff I too was frustrated, so you need to click the jump to the recipe button and it goes straight to the point minus the explanations. I highly recommend this recipe if you do not have the time to make the original Banana Pudding.
Thank you so much for the feedback Monica!
A homemade banana pudding recipe would be great! I make pudding from scratch…started when I lived overseas and didn’t have access to boxed. Homemade is easy and tastes much better than boxed so never turned back.
I currently use Alton Brown’s recipe for banana pudding but would love to have another good one on hand.
I’m a southern gal and we love our pudding desserts!
Thank you so much for the feedback! Note taken! Pudding is so dang good!