Homemade Banana Pudding with Meringue Topping

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.

Separate eggs, put egg yolks in a heavy sauce pan and egg whites in the bowl of your kitchen aid, or any mixing bowl.

Beat egg yolks with a fork. Add milk and vanilla. Whisk together. Once combined, gradually whisk in the flour mixture until completely combined. Over medium heat, whisk constantly until texture becomes thick and pudding like. Once the mixture begins to boil, add in the butter. Continue stirring for just a few more minutes. It will be quite thick when finished.

While you are stirring this, let your Kitchenaid mixer do some work on the egg whites. Beat egg whites until very soft peaks have formed, gradually add in sugar and cream of tartar. Beat for about 5 minutes until nice glossy peaks are formed. Fold in vanilla. Vanilla is completely optional here. I just happen to love it so add it whenever I can.

To prep the pudding, slice up the 5 bananas. Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan (you can use 8 x 8 as well). Layer a row of Vanilla Wafers, then a layer of banana slices. Pour in the pudding mixture. Add another layer of banana and vanilla wafers. Pipe the egg white meringues on top of the dish. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for about 13 minutes, or until meringue looks brown on the tips.

Cool for several hours.