Vanilla Wafer Banana Pudding

Ingredients

• 3 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream, cold
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 to 4 ripe bananas, depending on their size
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 50 vanilla wafers, crushed if desired, plus a few whole wafers for decoration

Directions

1. Put the egg yolks into a heatproof bowl and whisk them briefly, just to break them up. Set a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Pour in the milk carefully, whisking the whole time, and cook until the mixture begins to thicken, about 8 minutes. You’re looking for a soft, gentle simmer, not a hard boil. As soon as it thickens, take the pan off the heat.
2. Drizzle half of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks slowly, whisking thoroughly as you go. Put the saucepan back over medium heat, then gradually whisk the yolk mixture into the pan. Cook, stirring without stopping, until the pudding reaches a gentle boil. Keep stirring and cook for 1 minute more. Take the pan off the heat, then mix in the butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Leave it to cool.
3. As the pudding cools, whip the cream with a stand mixer or handheld mixer until it turns light and fluffy. Stop before it gets overworked. Fold in the confectioners’ sugar gently, along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
4. Peel the bananas and slice them into 1/2 inch rounds. Add the lemon juice and toss gently so the slices are coated.
5. Add 2 cups vanilla pudding to the bottom of a 2-quart bowl. Scatter 1/2 cup crushed wafers over it, or use 1/3 of the wafers if you’re leaving them whole. Layer 1 cup sliced bananas over the wafers however you like. Add the remaining pudding, then top with 1 cup crushed wafers or nearly all of the wafers that are left. Arrange the rest of the banana slices over the wafers, setting aside a few banana slices for garnish. Spread the whipped cream over the top to cover it completely. If you’d like, finish with the reserved banana slices and a few whole wafers. Serve right away or chill until you’re ready.