Nana Nana Nana!!!

No, I'm not being a snotty kid teasing anyone. Nor am I running around yelling Grandma's name. Ha! I'm talking "nanners", bananas!!! As a kid, I wasn't the biggest banana fan. As an adult, I am. But more than just the fruit itself, I love banana flavored things. Bread, milkshakes, ice cream, candy, cake--I don't care. If it's banana, sign me up, year round, but especially during these hot summer months. Maybe it's b/c it seems tropical to me (same reason why I'm all about coconut May-September). Maybe it's b/c it is so refreshing. Whatever the reason, when I see a recipe involving bananas it always makes me stop and take notice, especially if it is dessert. I saw someone on tv making a banana pudding dessert and though "Mmmmm, that's what I've been craving and didn't even know it". So off to the store I went. Seriously, from the time the tv chef was saying "join me next me" to the time I was in the car was no more than 10 minutes! I love desserts I can make, chill and we can eat from them for days! Anyway, I get to the store and head to the produce aisle to get bananas and there is a display of "Nilla Wafers". Well, isn't someone a total genius! Talk about grocery stores catering to their customers, and/or subliminal messaging. Whichever it was, I was happy b/c it meant less walking for me. So this is what I came up with after looking at a few recipes and pulling a little of this and that from each. This makes a huge portion and we will be enjoying it for days to come. But that is 100% okay w/ this banana lover----after all, I am the mommy to a little monkey:)

Banana Pudding Dessert

1 large box instant vanilla pudding
1 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
2 c. cold milk
16 oz Cool Whip, thawed
4 bananas sliced
1 box Vanilla Wafer cookies

In a large bowl, pour pudding mix. Add milk and whisk until thick. (The directions on the box call for 3 cups, so be sure not to follow them. It will be thicker than normal pudding). Add condensed milk and mix until well combined. Fold in Cool Whip. In a 9x13 pan, layer cookies, pudding, bananas in repeating layers, ending w/ pudding. Top w/ crushed cooking. Chill well before serving.

Shared on Chef In Training July 5, 2011

Shared on Around My Family Table July 7, 2011

Shared on Celebrating Family July 12, 2011

Shared on Gooseberry Patch July 13, 2011

Shared on Family Fresh Cooking July 13, 2011

Pin It