Nana Ruth made this for every potluck because it’s cheap, easy, and somehow always the first pan scraped clean.

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This resting time lets the wafers soften into cake-like layers and helps the pudding set firm enough to slice.
When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and uncover. Use a large spoon or a spatula to scoop out generous squares, making sure each serving gets some of every layer. Keep any leftovers covered and refrigerated, and enjoy within 2 days for the best texture and flavor.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters, you can skip one of the banana layers and keep more of the pudding and wafers; this gives a milder banana flavor that some kids prefer. If your crew loves bananas, add an extra banana and tuck a few slices right along the edges so they show through the sides of the dish. To dress it up for a holiday or special occasion, drizzle a little caramel sauce over the top just before serving or add a few extra whole wafers standing upright along one side like a little fence. If you don’t have whipped topping, you can use lightly sweetened whipped cream, but keep in mind it may not hold as long; plan to serve it the same day. For a slightly lighter version, use 2% milk and a light whipped topping—no one at the potluck will know the difference. Food safety tips: Always use cold milk and keep the pudding mixture chilled; don’t let the finished dessert sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s very warm) since it contains dairy and fresh fruit. Make sure your bananas are ripe but still firm with no large brown spots, as very soft bananas can turn mushy and spoil faster. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and eat within 2 days; the bananas will darken and soften over time, which is normal, but discard if you notice any off smells or mold. If you’re transporting this to a potluck, keep it in a cooler with ice packs until it can go into a fridge, so it arrives just as cold and creamy as it left your kitchen.