Banana Pudding

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
3 3/8 cups milk
7 egg yolks (mod from 4)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ounces (3/4 stick) butter
3 - 4 medium bananas, sliced
1 (12-ounce box) vanilla wafers

For the meringue topping, optional:

6 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

Directions

Mix together sugar and cornstarch and slowly add milk. Bring milk to boil, stirring constantly until it thickens--do not leave it unattended. Slightly beat egg yolks and temper with a small amount of the hot custard; stir well. Add egg mixture to custard pot and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Let cool. In a 9 by 9-inch oven proof baking dish, alternate pudding, bananas, and wafers, beginning with pudding and ending with pudding. Add topping, if desired.

For the meringue topping, if using:

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff peaks form, then spread onto top of pudding mixture. Bake until golden brown.