Banana Cream Parfaits {without pre-packaged pudding mix}

The recipe begins by cooking cornstarch, banana powder, sugar (or a sugar alternative), salt, eggs, butter, and milk in a saucepan, whisking until thickened into a custard. Vanilla extract is added after cooking. Separately, cream cheese is whipped until fluffy and then combined with part of the cooled custard before folding in the remaining custard. The mixture is covered with plastic wrap placed directly on its surface to avoid a skin forming and chilled for a couple hours. To assemble, spoonfuls of the banana cream filling alternate with whipped topping into serving dishes, topped off with banana slices or dried banana chips and optional chocolate chips or pieces for garnish. This results in a layered, creamy dessert with banana and vanilla flavors highlighted.