Nani's Banana Pudding

I feel like one of my spiritual gifts is mercy and hospitality. I have been utilizing those gifts this last year while serving on my church's hospitality committee. I really have enjoyed being able to serve those in need whatever type of need they might have but what I really like doing is cooking for other people. My secret is that a lot of times I cook dishes that my way too picky family would not touch. They are a guinea pigs of a sort, but I do have to say that they have almost licked clean the dish (except for one time that we won't talk about!)  

Well, at the last funeral a dear friend, Linda (a.k.a. Nani), made this delish pudding. I thought that pudding was pudding, well, was I WRONG!!! Her's is the best I've ever had. I think part of what makes it so good is all the love and care she puts into it. She loves taking care of other people and if making something as simple as pudding will put a smile on their face and in their heart then she is happy to do that!

Nani's Banana Pudding

Ingredients:

2 boxes of vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
2 cups half and half
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3-5 bananas
Fresh Fruit
Nilla wafers

First, slice bananas and sprinkle with Fresh Fruit to prevent browning.

Next, cream the room temperature cream cheese with a mixer until a creamy consistency. Nani's secret ingredient to making this so creamy!

Slowly add half and half (Nani's secret weapon), be careful not to add too much at a time to prevent lumpy-ness. Then slowly add both boxes of pudding mix. Be sure to scrape down sides of bowl often. Add remaining milk slowly.

Add layers of cookies, banana, pudding and continue to layer until pudding is all incorporated. Then you are free to lick the bowl and beaters! Yum! Refigerate pudding 2-3 hours, if you can wait that long! :)