Easy Homemade Paula Deen Banana Pudding Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Paula Deen’s banana pudding transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular Southern classic that promises pure comfort.

Creamy layers blend sweet and rich flavors in a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Soft bananas nestled between delicate cookies create a texture that dances between crisp and smooth.

Each spoonful carries memories of family gatherings and leisurely summer afternoons.

The combination of ingredients builds a symphony of sweetness that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Delightful and simple, this pudding requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

You’ll find yourself craving another helping before finishing the first: dive in and savor every delectable bite.

What Makes Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole So Flavorful and Easy

• Indulge in Creamy Comfort: This banana pudding offers a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth, combining rich cream cheese, sweet condensed milk, and soft bananas for the ultimate comfort dessert.
• Effortless Layered Delight: The recipe requires minimal cooking skills, using simple layering techniques that create a stunning dessert with chessmen cookies, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• No-Bake Summer Sensation: Requiring just 15 minutes of active preparation and a quick chill time, this dessert is an ideal cool treat for summer gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations without turning on the oven.
• Nostalgic Flavor Explosion: Each bite delivers a classic Southern-style dessert that brings back memories of grandma's kitchen, with its perfect balance of sweet bananas, creamy pudding, and crunchy cookie layers.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

Main Components:

• Chessmen Cookies: Classic base and topping that provides crunch and buttery texture. Look for fresh, crisp cookies.
• Bananas: Fresh, ripe fruit that adds natural sweetness and creamy texture. Choose yellow bananas with minimal brown spots.

• Instant Pudding Mix: Vanilla flavor creates smooth, quick pudding foundation. Select reliable brand for consistent results.
• Milk: Helps activate pudding mix and creates creamy consistency. Whole milk recommended for richer taste.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, tangy depth to dessert. Select full-fat variety for best texture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides additional sweetness and creamy thickness. Use standard canned version.

• Whipped Topping: Adds light, airy texture to dessert. Thaw completely before using. Cool Whip works well.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Base

Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish with 1 bag of chessmen cookies. Slice 4-5 ripe bananas and create an even layer on top of the cookies.

Step 2: Create Pudding Mixture

• Cold milk
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix

Use a handheld mixer and blend for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Whip Cream Cheese Blend

• Softened cream cheese
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Beat with an electric mixer until completely smooth and free of lumps.

Step 4: Combine Creamy Layers

Gently fold thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add this combined mixture to the pudding mixture and stir carefully to maintain a light, airy texture.

Step 5: Build Delicious Layers

Pour the entire pudding blend over the cookie and banana base. Spread evenly across the dish. Top with the remaining bag of chessmen cookies.

Step 6: Chill and Enjoy

Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and pudding to set. Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, sweet dessert.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

• Optimize Banana Selection: Pick slightly speckled bananas with deep yellow skin for maximum sweetness and creamy texture.
• Master Cream Cheese Technique: Remove cream cheese from refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing to guarantee silky smooth consistency.
• Create Perfectly Balanced Layers: Arrange cookies and banana slices with gentle precision, ensuring each spoonful captures delicious combinations.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Minimum two-hour chilling time transforms flavors, allowing ingredients to meld and pudding to develop rich, harmonious taste.
• Cookie Flexibility: Swap chessmen cookies with classic vanilla wafers or shortbread for personalized dessert experience without compromising overall deliciousness.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

• Refrigerator Seal: Protect your creamy banana pudding by wrapping it securely in heavy-duty plastic wrap, pressing directly against the surface to prevent air exposure and browning. Create an airtight barrier that locks in freshness and prevents flavor absorption from other refrigerator items.
• Glass Container Transfer: Carefully move the pudding into a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid for optimal preservation. Glass containers maintain temperature better and prevent unwanted odors from seeping into your delectable dessert.
• Consumption Timeline: Enjoy your banana pudding within 2-3 days for peak flavor and texture. Watch for any signs of separation or discoloration, which indicate the dessert is past its prime and should be discarded.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

• Tropical Paradise Banana Pudding: Replace chessmen cookies with coconut macaroons and add diced pineapple between banana layers for a vibrant island-inspired dessert.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the pudding mixture and use chocolate wafer cookies instead of chessmen for a rich, decadent version.
• Nutty Crunch Banana Pudding: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds between layers and on top for added texture and a subtle nutty flavor profile.
• Southern Bourbon Banana Pudding: Incorporate a splash of bourbon into the cream cheese mixture for a grown-up twist that enhances the classic Southern dessert.

Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole: A Side Dish You’ll Make Again and Again

Southern comfort meets sweet nostalgia in Paula Deen’s legendary banana pudding.

Rich cream cheese whispers creamy secrets through layers of delicate cookies and ripe bananas.

Classic Southern desserts rarely showcase such elegant simplicity and intense flavor profiles.

Complex textures mingle beneath each carefully constructed spoonful, creating memorable moments of pure indulgence.

Chessmen cookies add sophisticated crunch while bananas provide natural sweetness that elevates this classic recipe.

Passionate dessert enthusiasts will adore this ultimate crowd-pleaser – so snap a photo, share the deliciousness on social media, tag friends who need this recipe, and spread Southern charm one delectable bite at a time.

Paula Deen Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Southern comfort shines through this classic Paula Deen banana pudding, blending creamy custard with layers of vanilla wafers and ripe bananas. Sweet nostalgia meets simple elegance you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
• 2 bags chessmen cookies
• 2 cups milk

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 1 (12-ounce/340 grams) container of frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (8-ounce/227 grams) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14-ounce/397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk

Flavor and Thickening Ingredients:

• 1 (5-ounce/142 grams) box of instant French vanilla pudding mix

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Instructions

1. Prepare the base layer by meticulously arranging whole chessmen cookies in a uniform pattern across the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch (33 x 23 x 5 centimeters) baking dish.
2. Create a vibrant layer of freshly sliced bananas directly atop the cookie foundation, ensuring complete coverage and an even distribution.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk (240 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) and instant vanilla pudding mix using an electric hand mixer until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy consistency.
4. In a separate large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until achieving a silky, lump-free texture using an electric mixer.
5. Gently fold thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining a light and airy texture with delicate folding motions.
6. Integrate the pudding mixture into the cream cheese blend, stirring carefully to create a harmonious, well-incorporated filling.
7. Carefully pour the combined mixture over the banana and cookie base, spreading evenly with a spatula to ensure complete coverage.
8. Complete the dessert by strategically placing the remaining chessmen cookies on top, creating an attractive and appetizing final layer.
9. Securely cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the dessert to set completely.
10. Remove from refrigerator shortly before serving to ensure optimal texture and taste.

Notes

• Grab extra-ripe bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
• Room temperature cream cheese blends smoother, creating a silky, lump-free pudding texture.
• Consistent layering ensures every spoonful delivers balanced banana, cookie, and creamy goodness.
• Overnight chilling develops richer flavors and allows dessert to firm up perfectly.
• Vanilla wafers make an excellent substitute if chessmen cookies aren’t available in your pantry.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 331
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 299 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 44 mg