Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1.5 cups ice-cold water
  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 8 oz Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 box (11 oz) vanilla wafers
  • 6 large ripe bananas, sliced

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and free of lumps. Gradually whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until the mixture is completely homogenous.
  2. In a separate container, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with the ice-cold water for 2 minutes. Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture and refrigerate for 5 minutes to set.
  3. In a chilled bowl, whisk the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating a stabilized whipped cream.
  4. Fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding base using a silicone spatula to maintain aeration.
  5. Layer the bottom of a 9x13 dish with vanilla wafers. Add a layer of sliced bananas, then a layer of the pudding mixture.
  6. Repeat the layering process, ensuring the bananas are fully encased in the pudding to prevent oxidation. Top with the remaining whipped cream and crushed wafers.
  7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving to allow the wafers to soften and the structure to set.