Banana Pudding

Apparently banana pudding is a very popular treat in the Southern states. When I was in south Carolina recently, Mom bought some at a local BBQ joint... because I guess it is a must when you are at local BBQ joints. Now, I have said before, and I will say it again... I don't like banana's! So for me, the purchased pudding did nothing. When mom tasted it though, she said it wasn't that great either, and that we needed to try her banana pudding. So when I got back to Chicago, I decided to give it a try. I know, crazy right? Well, the difference in Mom's recipe, is that the pudding itself isn't actually banana. There are fresh sliced banana's in the recipe, but if you pick around those, then the pudding itself is delicious!

Now to be fair, I did feed this to my husband and 2 of our friends that all love banana's, and they thought it was delicious. So, if you are a banana fan, this ones for you... otherwise, just pick around the banana's like I did! :)

Banana Pudding

1 Small Package Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 1/2 Cups Cold Water

2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream {un-sweetened!}

1 Box Nilla Wafers

3 Fresh, Ripe Banana's, cut into thin slices

Mix the pudding, milk, and water in the bowl of electric mixer until well combined. Place in smaller bowl and refrigerate until set up.

Meanwhile, whip up the 2 cups of cream (do NOT add any sugar). When pudding mixture has set, fold in the whipping cream until well combined. Using a trifle bowl, start with a layer of nilla wafers, facing out, in a line around the bowl. Slowly scoop about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of the pudding mixture into the bowl, holding the wafers up as you go. Top with a layer of banana's, then a layer of nilla wafers, and finally add pudding on top of that. Repeat the process until the pudding mixture is all gone (I only did 1 layer of Nilla wafers on the bottom, but you can line each layer if you want).

I crushed a bunch of the extra nilla wafers up and threw them on top, but this is optional. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. A true Southern Delight!