Classic Banana Pudding (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened until smooth and easy to mix
02 - 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, use ¾ can if you prefer less sweetness
03 - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for extra flavor
04 - ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, just a small pinch
05 - 1⅓ cups of 2% milk, chilled for the best consistency
06 - 5.1-ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix
07 - 3 cups of cold heavy cream right from the fridge
08 - 5-6 bananas that are perfectly ripe, thinly sliced into circles
09 - 11-ounce box of vanilla wafer cookies, with extras saved for munching

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big mixing bowl and beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until it’s velvety and lump-free. Take your time here to make it super smooth. Pour in your sweetened condensed milk (¾ can for a lighter sweetness or the full can if you’re into sweet things), vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Mix again until the mixture looks well-blended. Next, add the milk and instant pudding mix, and blend on medium speed until there are no lumps in sight and the mixture is perfectly smooth. Cover the bowl and stick it into the fridge for at least 20 minutes—or even overnight if prep time is on your side.
02 - Use a fresh bowl for this step. Pour in your cold heavy cream and whip it up with clean beaters until stiff peaks form—it’ll take about 3 to 4 minutes. Check if it’s ready by lifting the beaters; the cream should stay in place. Scoop out 1¼ cups of the whipped cream and stash it in the fridge as a topping for later. Then gently fold the rest of the whipped cream into the chilled pudding base, using a spatula to carefully blend until the streaks disappear. Keep the mixture airy while mixing!
03 - Here comes the fun! Grab a deep serving dish (a trifle bowl is ideal, but any dish with depth will work). Cover the bottom with one-third of your pudding. Layer on half the vanilla wafers, then top with half the banana slices. Add another third of the pudding on top of that layer, followed by the remaining wafers and bananas (set aside a few for decoration). Spread the last portion of pudding over the top to seal it all in neatly.
04 - Now for the final touch—take that chilled whipped cream you set aside earlier and spread it gently over the top of your pudding masterpiece. Create some fun peaks and swirls with your spatula. Decorate with the last few banana slices and some extra wafers however you’d like. Cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap, avoiding direct contact with the topping, and let it chill until serving time. For the tastiest result, dig in within 8-10 hours of making it.

# Notes:

01 - A go-to dessert for family gatherings and celebrations in the South.
02 - Unlike variations that use Cool Whip, this recipe uses fresh whipped cream for a richer flavor.
03 - The cream cheese brings a slight tang and helps keep the pudding stable.
04 - Give it time to sit so the wafers soften and all the flavors come together for the perfect banana pudding texture.

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