Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

Here is a recipe that details how to make classic old-fashioned banana pudding, cooked on the stovetop, assembled, and baked with a meringue topping.

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.125 teaspoon salt
• 0.3333333333333333 cup self-rising flour
• 2 cups low-fat or whole milk
• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 ounces vanilla wafer cookies (about 44 cookies)
• 2 bananas, ripe but firm
• 0.25 cup sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon cream of tartar

Steps

1. Combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and the self-rising flour in the top pan of a double boiler.
2. Slowly stir in the milk. Put the pan over simmering water and cook, stirring, until mixture begins to thicken. Beat egg yolks then briskly stir a small amount of the hot mixture (about 1/2 cup) into them. Add egg yolk mixture back into the hot mixture in the top of the double boiler and stir in butter and vanilla. Cook until the mixture thickens again.
3. Heat the oven to 350 F.
4. Place a layer of vanilla wafers in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish (or another shape 2-quart shallow baking dish). Add a layer of sliced bananas. Continue layering until all cookies and banana slices are used. Pour pudding mixture over top.
5. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until foamy; gradually beat in 1/4 cup granulated sugar and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue over pudding, spreading all the way to the edges of the baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned. 
6. Remove from the oven. Serve hot or cold and enjoy!