Like Banana Pie, But Not

Last week before my sister got sick (again), she made us a wonderful dessert. It was so delicious that the next time I needed to make a dessert, I knew I was going to make the same recipe. Bud's cousin dinner was last Monday, so there was my event.

The recipe is from Six Sister's Stuff. They call it Easy Banana Cream Pie (with Nilla Wafer Crust). I changed it a little bit from what they've done because I thought it needed a little more pudding in the middle. Oh, and I added some toasted coconut to the top because coconut is divine. If Karen was here, it would not have any coconut on it, of course. I liked the chewy texture it added.

Easy Banana Cream Dessert (adapted from Six Sister's Stuff)

80 Nilla Wafer cookies, crushed (about one 12 oz box)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (light is fine)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 (8 oz) containers Cool Whip, thawed (light is fine)
1 box (5.1 oz) banana cream instant pudding

1 box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding
3 cups milk (skim is fine)
3 bananas, sliced

Directions: 
Mix together the crushed cookies and melted butter. Press into a 9x13" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool.
Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 container of Cool Whip. Spread on top of cooled cookie crust.
Beat together the banana cream and vanilla pudding with milk. Let stand for about 4-5 minutes until it has thickened. Spread on top of cream cheese layer.
Spread sliced bananas on top of pudding, covering the entire pan.
Spread the last container of Cool Whip on top of the bananas. Let set in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving (I found that a whole container on top was a little too much. Use your own judgment). 
Top with caramel sauce, sliced bananas and crushed cookies as a garnish (totally optional, but it makes it look good. I preferred mine without the caramel sauce, but I'm just a little crazy that way).