Banana Pudding (Classic & Creamy)

🧾 Ingredients

• 3–4 ripe bananas (sliced)
• 1 box (5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)
• 1 box vanilla wafers (like Nilla Wafers)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the pudding
   In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix and cold milk for ~2 minutes until thick.
2. Add richness
   Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
3. Fold in whipped topping
   Gently mix until smooth and fluffy.
4. Layer it up
   In a dish or trifle bowl:
   • Layer vanilla wafers
   • Add banana slices
   • Spread pudding mixture
     Repeat layers until everything is used.
5. Chill
   Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).

🍽️ Tips for the best banana pudding

• Use ripe but firm bananas (not mushy)
• Let it sit overnight so the wafers soften into a cake-like texture
• Add a meringue topping and bake briefly if you want a traditional Southern twist