Miss Carrie Hudson’s Banana Pudding (Southern Living Cookbook)

By zircon50

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 3/4 cups milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 Tbs. vanilla extract
• 1 (11-oz.) box Nilla Wafers
• 3 ripe bananas, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (3 cups)
• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together sugar and flour in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until blended. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened.

2. Whisk egg yolks until thick and pale. Gradually whisk about one-fourth of hot milk mixture into yolks; add yolk mixture to remaining hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour into a clean saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in 2 Tbs. vanilla. Toss together vanilla wafers and banana slices in an 11-by-7-inch baking dish. Top with warm pudding.

3. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add ¼ cup sugar, 1 Tbs. at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (about 2 to 4 minutes). Beat in 1/8 tsp. vanilla with the last tablespoon of sugar. Spread meringue over warm pudding, sealing to edges of dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.