Southern Banana Pudding

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 box vanilla wafers (about 8 oz.)
• 4 bananas, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, mix together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk until smooth. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the 3 eggs. Add a small amount of the hot pudding mixture to the eggs, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the hot pudding mixture. Return to heat and cook until it reaches a gentle boil, about 2 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and remove from heat. Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. In an ungreased 8-inch square pan, arrange a layer of about 25 vanilla wafers. Top with half of the sliced bananas. Pour half of the pudding mixture over the banana and wafer layers. Repeat the layers with the remaining wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture, ending with a layer of pudding on top. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4. Before serving, crush some additional vanilla wafers and sprinkle them on top of the pudding for a delightful crunch. Serve cold and watch the smiles appear!