Banana Vanilla Wafer Pudding

1. Combine Sweetened Condensed Milk and Water

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water. Beat them together for about a minute until the mixture is well combined.

2. Add Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and beat for another two minutes until smooth and lump-free. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least one hour or overnight to set.

3. Whip the Heavy Cream

While the pudding mixture chills, pour the cold heavy cream into a clean stand mixer bowl with the whisk attachment. Begin whipping on medium speed, increasing to high speed as it starts to thicken. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form.

4. Fold Pudding Mixture into Whipped Cream

After the pudding mixture has set, gently fold it into the whipped cream until well blended. Be sure to mix until there are no streaks of pudding visible.

5. Assemble the Pudding

In a 4- to 5-quart trifle bowl or twelve 8-ounce bowls or ramekins, start by layering a third of the vanilla wafer cookies at the bottom. Next, add a layer of sliced bananas, followed by a layer of the pudding mixture. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with a layer of the pudding mixture on top.

6. Chill the Pudding

Cover the assembled pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours to allow the cookies to soften and the flavors to meld.

7. Serve and Garnish

When ready to serve, garnish the top with some reserved vanilla wafer cookies or cookie crumbs for a crunchy finish. Serve within 12 hours of assembling to enjoy the pudding at its best.