1. Make the Pudding:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer over medium heat while stirring continuously.
• Once the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes), remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the pudding to cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

2. Prepare the Fruit:

• While the pudding is cooling, slice the bananas and strawberries. Set them aside. Make sure to slice the bananas just before assembling to prevent browning.

3. Assemble the Pudding:

• In a large trifle dish or individual serving cups, start by placing a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom.
• Add a layer of sliced bananas on top of the cookies.
• Spoon a layer of the prepared vanilla pudding over the bananas, then add a layer of sliced strawberries.
• Repeat the layers (cookies, bananas, pudding, and strawberries) until your dish is full, finishing with a layer of pudding on top.

4. Top with Whipped Cream:

• Spread whipped cream or Cool Whip over the top layer of pudding for extra creaminess and a decorative finish. You can also garnish with additional strawberry slices or a few crushed vanilla wafers for texture.

5. Chill and Serve:

• Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This helps the pudding set and enhances the flavor.
• Serve chilled, and enjoy this creamy, fruity delight!