My Favorite Banana Pudding

5 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix (can use sugar free)
2 c. cold milk
14 oz. can Eaglebrand milk (can use fat free)
1 T. vanilla
16 oz. whipped topping, thawed (can use low sugar, but it doesn't set up as well.)
16 oz. pkg vanilla wafers*
14 bananas, sliced
graham cracker crumbs, optional

In a large mixing bowl, beat pudding mix and cold milk 2 minutes. Blend in condensed milk until smooth. Stir in vanilla and fold in topping. Layer wafers*, bananas, and pudding mixture in a large glass bowl. Top with graham cracker crumbs, if desired. Chill until ready to serve.

*I didn't have any vanilla wafers when I made this and used Simply Shortbread cookies instead~Delish! Now it's the only way I make it, and it's often requested.

picture at top: finished pudding with shortbread cookies and graham cracker crumbs on top. 1st picture below: top view of banana pudding  made with shortbread cookies; 2nd picture: side view of pudding; 3rd picture: I didn't place crumbs on top this time, but made a heart design on top instead.