Southern Banana Pudding

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk

1 cup half and half

½ cup sugar, divided

4 ½ TBS. cornstarch

3 large egg yolks

2 TBS. unsalted butter

2 tsp vanilla

4 large bananas, sliced

Vanilla wafers

1 cup heavy cream

2 TBS powdered sugar

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk, half and half, ¼ cup of sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks.  Set aside.

Using a small saucepan, add remaining cup of milk and remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Place over medium heat, stir often, until milk begins to simmer. 

Slowly pour hot milk into the large bowl with the egg yolk mixture, stirring constantly while you pour. 

 Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until mixture begins to boil and thicken.

Remove from heat and fold in butter and vanilla extract.

 Layer vanilla wafers,  the sliced bananas,and  pudding mixture in a trifle dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight to chill. 

Before serving, use an electric mixer to whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream on top of the banana pudding and garnish with additional crumbled vanilla wafers. Serve cold.