Magnolia's Famous Banana Pudding

One 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 ¾ c. cold water
One 3.4 oz. package Jell-o Brand Vanilla Instant Pudding
3 c. heavy cream
One 12 oz. box Nilla Wafers (no substitutions)
4 c. sliced ripe bananas

In small bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and the water until well combined, one minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight before continuing. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set.

In large bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, whipe the heavy cream till stiff peaks form. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.

To assemble the dessert, select a large, wide bowl (preferably glass) with a 4-5 quart capacity. Arrange one -third of the wafers to cover the bottom of the bowl, overlapping if necessary, then one-third of the bananas and one-third of the pudding. Repeat the layering twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer of the pudding. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours-or up to 8 hours, but no longer !-before serving.