Delectable Banana Pudding

Ingredients

• 3 ripe medium bananas, plus 1 firm banana for topping, if desired
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups cold milk
• 1 (5-ounce) package vanilla pudding
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12-ounce) container whipped topping, divided
• 30 vanilla wafer cookies

Directions

1. Peel and slice the bananas and toss them in a bowl with the lemon juice. Set aside.
2. Combine the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk or beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until thoroughly blended. Let stand for 2 minutes.
3. With a spatula or spoon, fold half of the whipped topping into the pudding mixture.
4. In an 8-inch trifle dish, alternate layers of pudding, banana slices, and vanilla wafers. Spoon or pipe the remaining whipped topping over the pudding. Chill the pudding for at least 30 minutes before serving.
5. Garnish the dessert with banana slices, if desired. For an extra special look, sprinkle the dessert with vanilla sugar or a cinnamon-sugar blend.

Note:  If you do not have a trifle dish, you can use a 9 x 13 pan, or make mini desserts in a ball jar or glass.