Layers of vanilla wafers and fresh bananas are covered with a rich, creamy pudding mixture made with French vanilla pudding, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping. It’s an easy chilled dessert that can be prepared ahead and kept refrigerated until serving.

Ingredients

• 2 boxes vanilla wafers
• 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
• 2 cups milk
• 1 (5-ounce) box French vanilla pudding mix
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, or an equal amount of sweetened whipped cream

Instructions

1. Build the First Layer: Arrange one bag of the vanilla wafers across the bottom of a 13 × 9-inch baking dish. Place the sliced bananas evenly over the cookies.
2. Prepare the Pudding: Pour the milk into a mixing bowl and add the French vanilla pudding mix. Beat the mixture thoroughly with a handheld electric mixer until well combined and smooth.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
4. Add the Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until evenly incorporated.
5. Combine the Creamy Mixtures: Add the cream cheese mixture to the prepared pudding mixture. Stir everything together until the two mixtures are thoroughly blended.
6. Assemble the Pudding: Pour the finished creamy mixture evenly over the layer of cookies and bananas.
7. Finish with Cookies: Cover the top with the remaining vanilla wafers.
8. Chill Before Serving: Place the assembled banana pudding in the refrigerator and keep it chilled until you are ready to serve.