My Mom made this creamy Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding with so much love 

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Whip the Fresh Homemade Cream 🍦✨

1. In a chilled large mixing bowl, pour in your 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
2. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer equipped with a whisk attachment, beat the cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Set this homemade whipped cream aside in the fridge.

Step 2: Whisk the Velvety Pudding 🍮🥣

1. In a separate bowl, combine the 1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk.
2. Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
3. Gently fold in half of your prepared homemade whipped cream into the pudding. This is the secret to getting that cloud-like, ultra-rich, creamy texture! Save the remaining half of the whipped cream for decoration.

Step 3: Assembly & Layering 🏗️🍌

You can build this inside a traditional 9×13-inch glass baking dish, or create a standalone “cake” on a foil-lined platter using a springform pan ring or rectangular mold as a guide to mimic :

1. The Base: Lay down a solid, even layer of Nilla Wafers across the bottom of your pan or platter.
2. The Fruit: Top the cookies with a generous layer of sliced ripe bananas.
3. The Cream: Spread a thick layer of your fluffy pudding mixture evenly over the bananas.
4. Repeat: Repeat the process (Wafers $\rightarrow$ Bananas $\rightarrow$ Pudding) until you reach the top of your dish or mold.

Step 4: Recreate Mom’s Gorgeous Presentation! 🎨👀

1. Cover the outer sides and top with your remaining vanilla pudding mixture to anchor your decorations.
2. Press rows of Nilla Wafers vertically along the outside walls of the cake to create that stunning structured border seen in .
3. Load the remaining homemade whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe clean grid lines and elegant rosettes across the top surface, nesting a single Nilla Wafer into the center of each grid square!

Step 5: The Icebox Rest ⏰❄️

1. Pop the assembled cake into the refrigerator for at least 4 to 6 hours (overnight is even better!).
2. Why? During this time, the Nilla Wafers absorb the moisture from the pudding and cream, transforming from crunchy cookies into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cake consistency. Slice, serve with love, and enjoy!