Southern-Style Baked Banana Pudding

Recipe View Separate the eggs: Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and the yolks into a medium saucepan. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Prepare the custard base: In the saucepan with the yolks, whisk together 0.5 cup of granulated sugar, salt, and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Gradually whisk in about 1/4 of the milk to form a smooth paste. Pour in the remaining milk and whisk until fully combined. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Cook the custard: Cook the custard mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until it begins to thicken. Continue to whisk vigorously until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and forms ribbons when drizzled from the whisk. Be careful not to let it scorch. (10-15 minutes)

Recipe View Enrich the custard: Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the banana liqueur (if using), vanilla extract, and cold butter. Whisk until the butter is completely melted and incorporated, creating a smooth and glossy custard. Set aside. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). (10 minutes)

Recipe View Prepare the bananas: Gently toss the sliced bananas with the lemon juice to prevent browning. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Assemble the pudding: Spread 1/4 of the custard evenly over the bottom of a baking dish (about 9x13 inches). Arrange a single layer of vanilla wafers over the custard. Top with half of the banana slices, then spread half of the remaining custard over the bananas. Add another layer of vanilla wafers, using slightly fewer this time. Top with the remaining bananas and custard. Smooth the top and gently tap the dish against the counter to settle the pudding. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Prepare the meringue: In the bowl of the stand mixer with the egg whites, add the cream of tartar. Beat with the whisk attachment until the egg whites are foamy. Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, beating continuously until stiff, glossy peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Top with meringue: Using a soft spatula, gently spread the meringue evenly over the pudding, creating decorative swirls and ridges for visual appeal. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Bake the pudding: Bake in the preheated oven until the meringue is nicely browned, about 7 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning. (7-10 minutes)

Recipe View Cool and serve: Remove the pudding from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or chilled, as desired.