1-First, gather your ingredients to keep things organized rinse and slice the strawberries, peel and slice the bananas, and get your pudding mix ready. This preparation takes about 10 minutes and sets you up for success, especially if you’re trying this as a quick treat for family.

2-Next, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups cold milk for 2 minutes until it thickens, then set it aside. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth, add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, and mix until creamy. Fold in the pudding mixture and whipped topping to create a light, silky base that’s the heart of this recipe.

3-Building the Layers: Now for the fun part layering! In a 9×13 dish or trifle bowl, start with vanilla wafers, followed by sliced bananas and sliced strawberries, then add the pudding mixture. Repeat these layers, ending with a thick layer of pudding on top. For a personal touch, decorate with extra fruit or crushed wafers here’s where you can get creative.

4-Once assembled, cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best results, letting the flavors blend and the wafers soften.