Classic Banana Pudding

Step 1

Pour 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the contents of two 3-ounce boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and no lumps remain — it should coat the back of a spoon.

Step 2

Gently fold in one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, 0.5 cup of sour cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract using a rubber spatula. Fold just until combined — avoid overmixing, which can make the pudding grainy. The sauce should be creamy and smooth, with no streaks of white.

Step 3

Peel 5 medium firm ripe bananas and slice them into 0.25-inch-thick rounds on a cutting board — look for bananas that are yellow with minimal brown spots, which means they're ripe enough to be sweet but firm enough to hold their shape. Set them aside on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

Step 4

Choose a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or deep serving bowl. Spread a thin layer of the vanilla pudding mixture — about 1 cup — on the bottom, creating an even foundation.

Step 5

Arrange a single layer of vanilla wafer cookies on top of the pudding, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom. You should use about one-third of the box. Top this layer with roughly one-third of the banana slices, distributing them evenly.

Step 6

Spread another layer of pudding mixture — about 1 cup — over the bananas, smoothing it gently with a spatula. Repeat the wafer and banana layers one more time, finishing with a final layer of pudding on top. You should have three distinct layers of wafers and bananas.

Step 7

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours. This resting time allows the wafers to soften slightly and the flavors to meld together — the pudding will set to a creamy, custard-like texture.

Step 8

Just before serving, top the entire surface with 2 cups of fresh whipped cream, spreading it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. You can garnish with a few vanilla wafer crumbles or a thin banana slice if desired. Serve chilled, using a large spoon to scoop through the layers and ensure each portion gets wafers, bananas, and pudding.