Positively Paula: Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding

Paula Deen’s legendary Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding is an irresistible, easy, no-bake dessert recipe topped with decadent Chessmen butter cookies and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

You’ll love this easy twist on Southern banana pudding from the dairy queen, Ms. Paula Deen, that swaps traditional vanilla wafers with ultra-buttery Chessmen cookies.

Paula Says: It’s not banana pudding if it isn’t my Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding recipe! This banana pudding recipe calls for bananas, French Vanilla instant pudding, sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, cream cheese, and butter cookies. Y’all enjoy now.

———

Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding

Paula Deen's No-Cook Banana Pudding

Paula Deen’s No-Cook Banana Pudding

You have to try Paula’s legendary recipe, “Not Yo’ Mama’s” Banana Pudding. This irresistible, no-bake dessert is topped with decadent Chessmen butter cookies and homemade whipped cream for an impressive finish.

Servings: 6-10
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: none
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • Homemade Whipped Cream, divided:
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
    • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 8 oz. of cream cheese, softened
  • 14oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 5.5oz package of instant vanilla pudding
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 - 7-8oz. Boxes of Butter Cookies (like Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies)
  • 6-8 bananas, sliced and divided
Cook’s Tip: One 12-oz. container of frozen whipped topping, thawed, can substitute for whipping cream and confectioners’ sugar.

Cooking Instructions

  1. Remove the cream cheese from the fridge and set it out at room temperature to soften, covered, for at least 30 minutes. At the same time, place a large mixing bowl (metal preferred) in the fridge or freezer to chill.
  2. In the chilled mixing bowl, whisk the whipping cream and the confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Chill the whipped cream until you’re ready for Step 5.
  3. In another bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and the can of sweetened condensed milk until thoroughly combined. Stir in the instant vanilla pudding mix and the milk. Mix until smooth.
  4. Slice the bananas and set aside.
  5. Fold two-thirds of the reserved whipped cream into the custard mix. Set the rest aside for serving.
  6. Assemble the Pudding:
    1. Arrange one row of chessmen cookies (about one 7-8 oz. box) on the bottom of a large, 2-3 quart serving dish.
    2. Cover the layer of cookies with a layer of custard and smooth into the corners of the dish with a rubber spatula.
    3. Top the custard layer with a layer of sliced bananas.
    4. Repeat these steps and finish off with a final layer of cookies!
  7. Cover the banana pudding with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. Spoon the pudding into bowls. Top each bowl with the remaining homemade whipped cream and fresh banana slices.

———

Watch “Positively Paula” Mondays at 5:30 PM ET only on RFD-TV! You can also stream any episode anytime with a subscription to RFD-TV Now.

Related Stories
Trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia unlock tariff-free and preferential lanes for key U.S. farm goods, expanding long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
Alan Bjerga, Senior Vice President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shares updates and resources available to dairy producers.
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
Margin Protection and the new MCO add county-level margin tools — with earlier price discovery, input cost triggers, and high subsidy rates — to complement on-farm risk plans for 2026.
Wed, 11/19/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
Wed, 10/29/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson is pushing a “Farm Bill 2.0.”
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us with important insights on drug safety and rural health during the winter months.
Quinn Rutt of Upstream Ranch previews the Nebraska cattle operation’s 49th Annual Production Sale where buyers can expect standout sire groups and a blend of long-standing ranch practices with modern genetic selection.
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.