Grandma's Banana Pudding - better than pie? Almost!

Ok so this week is Christmas!  I love Christmas, I love seeing my family and giving them gifts.  Jason has been known to get upset with me over the gift giving part.  He says I spend too much on everyone.  I can't help it I love giving people presents!  Don't get me wrong I love getting them too but I think I like giving much more.

This week I decided to do my Grandma's Banana Pudding instead of a pie.  I did make a pumpkin pie but I just used the recipe from the pumpkin can, which is very good.  I always loved going to my Grandma's during the holidays because of all the wonderful foods she would make.  Before she died I had her teach me how to make two things:  blackberry jelly and banana pudding.  I am sure there are other things she taught me to make but these are the two best.  So here is my grandma's banana pudding.

6 bananas
3 1/2 tbsp flour
1 1/3 c sugar
dash salt
3 large eggs seperated
3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
vanilla wafers

Meringue
1/4 c sugar
2 tbsp sugar

I decided I was going to enlist the help of my 8 year old son, Lucas for this job so I had him slice the banana's.  He did a wonderful job and was very focused.

I cooked the pudding while he sliced.  Combine flour, sugar and salt in heavy sauce pan.  Beat egg yolks and add milk, stir.  Slowly add milk and eggs to flour mixture.  Cook over med. heat until smooth and thick stirring constantly.  I do mean stir constantly otherwise your pudding will stick and scortch. 

After Lucas sliced the bananas he put the vanilla wafers in the baking dishes.  I have to make a small batch for Jason because he does not like meringue.

Next put a layer of bananas then 1/3 of pudding.  Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.  Please note I doubled my pudding recipe because I like a lot of the pudding over the bananas and cookies.

Since I am making this for Christmas dinner I will wait until tomorrow morning to make the meringue.  But here are the steps to make it.

Beat egg whites until foamy gradually add 1/4 c plus 2 tbsp sugar to eggs 1 tbsp at a time.  Beat until stiff peaks form.  Add 1 tsp vanilla and beat until blended.  Spread over custard sealing the edges of your baking dish bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.  Watch it closely.

I will post pics of the finished produce tomorrow morning.

I hope you enjoy the recipe, I am sure it will become a family favorite just like it is in my family.

Next week I will be making a Coconut Cream Pie!