Strawberry Pudding

60 vanilla wafers
2 cups sliced strawberries, sweetened if desired
2 small boxes cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping

Layer 25 to 30 vanilla wafers over the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. Cover the wafers with 1 cup of sliced strawberries. Repeat the layers using the remaining wafers and sliced strawberries.

In a large mixing bowl, combine pudding mix with milk. Stir with a wire whisk for about a minute - just long enough to allow the pudding mix to begin to thicken. (If the mixture becomes too thick, it will not spread evenly throughout the wafers, and may result in an undesirable product.) Slowly drizzle the mixture over the layered berries and wafers.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Just before serving, top with whipped topping and garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Makes 10 servings.