PIONEER WOMAN BANANA PUDDING RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the pudding: Combine the milk, sugar, flour and salt in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until it becomes thick, about 8 minutes. Place the egg yolks in a small bowl and beat lightly. Whisk a little bit of the milk mixture into the egg yolks until tempered. Slowly add the egg mixture to the milk mixture, and whisk until combined. Cook 2 more minutes to cook the eggs, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla and butter, stirring to melt the butter. Let stand until cooled, about 30 minutes. (You can also chill the custard over an ice bath for 10 minutes.)
• Make the vanilla bean whipped cream: Chill a mixing bowl and beater in the freezer. Scrape the vanilla seeds from pod with a paring knife into the chilled bowl. Add the whipping cream and sugar to the bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
• To finish: Arrange a single layer of vanilla wafers in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add a layer of sliced bananas on top. Cover with half of the pudding. Repeat the layers once. Top the last layer with the whipped cream. Garnish with the crushed vanilla wafers and sliced bananas, if desired. Cover and chill 1 hour, or until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the banana slices and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine 1/2 cup of the sugar, the flour and salt in a 3-quart saucier. Add the egg yolks and whisk to combine. Add the half-and-half and carefully whisk to combine. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 172 to 180 degrees F, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken and bubble around the edges. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
• Spread a small amount of the pudding in the bottom of an oven-safe 1 1/2-quart glass mixing bowl. Cover with a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of banana slices. Pour 1/3 of the remaining pudding on top of the bananas and repeat, ending with a layer of pudding.
• Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue whisking until stiff peaks form. Spoon the meringue over the warm pudding, being sure to cover the edges. Bake until the meringue is evenly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pudding from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before serving. Cool completely before refrigerating. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.