If you like vanilla pudding and bananas, you'll love banana pudding, which combines layers of rich custard, ripe bananas and vanilla wafers. How to make banana pudding takes you through the process of cooking your own vanilla custard from scratch, then layering it into a delicious dessert.

Banana pudding consists of layers of vanilla custard, banana slices and vanilla wafers. The latter two ingredients are pretty much ready to go as soon as you buy them. The custard, however, can either be made from scratch at home, made from a box pudding mix or bought pre-made at some grocery stores. What follows are instructions for assembling a banana pudding using custard made from scratch

• You'll need to buy bananas and vanilla wafers no matter how you decide to make your pudding. The other ingredients, however, are only necessary if you're making your custard from scratch. If you're using a store-bought pudding mix, see the box's instructions for what you'll need.

• The following recipe yields 8 to 10 servings.

• 5 ripe bananas

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 5 egg yolks

• 4 cups milk

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 12-ounce box vanilla wafers

• Glass casserole dish

• Double boiler

• Whisk

• Spoon to stir hot custard

• The only step in making banana pudding that takes much time is making the custard. However, making your own custard rather than using a box mix can be much more satisfying. It can give a great sense of accomplishment and has a richer, more interesting taste than box pudding.

1. Combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt in the top part of a large double boiler.
2. Whisk in the milk.
3. Cook the mixture in the double boiler until hot all the way through, or just beginning to bubble.
4. Beat the egg yolks, then stir in a small amount of the hot milk mixture.
5. Add the yolks to the double boiler.
6. Continue to cook the custard until it thickens, stirring constantly.
7. Remove the custard from the heat once it coats the back of a spoon.
8. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
9. Allow the custard to cool through.
10. Alternate layers of vanilla wafers, pudding and bananas in your glass casserole.

• You can top or decorate your banana pudding in many ways. Keep in mind that if you leave the custard as a top layer, a milk skin may form over it.Baking911.com: Custard 101

1. Cover the pudding with a top layer of whipped cream.
2. Whip up a meringue and bake it on top of the pudding in the oven.FoodNetwork.com: Banana Pudding (Paula Dean)
3. Create a decorative arrangement of vanilla wafers, chocolate chips, and/or nuts.

• Enjoy your banana pudding with friends and family. Chill it before serving to maintain its consistency. It's a great dish to bring to a barbecue or potluck supper.

• All Recipes: Banana Pudding I

• Epicurious: Banana Pudding

• FoodNetwork.com: Banana Pudding (Paul Dean)

• FoodNetwork.com: Banana Pudding (Christel Albritton MacLean)

• FoodNetwork.com: Banana Pudding (Gale Gand)

• Recipezaar: Banana Custard Pudding

• Recipezaar: Banana Pudding

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