Dolly Parton's Banana Pudding

• vanilla wafer cookies1 box

  12 ounce

• bananas↗4

  ripe, firm and sliced (about 1 1/2 pounds)

• salt↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• milk↗3 cups
• egg↗1

  large

• granulated sugar↗3⁄4 cup
• all-purpose flour↗1⁄4 cup
• egg yolks↗3

  large

• butter or margarine↗1⁄4 cup
• vanilla extract↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• Meringue Topping
• egg whites↗3

  large

• lemon juice↗1⁄2 teaspoon

  freshly squeezed

• vanilla extract↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• granulated sugar↗1⁄2 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   In a deep 2 quart casserole bowl place cookies and bananas mix well set this aside.

3. 3

   In a saucepan combine 3/4 cup of sugar, flour and salt; with whisk beat in milk until blended and smooth.

4. 4

   Bring to boil over medium low heat; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

5. 5

   In another bowl beat egg and egg yolks, add 3 tablespoons of hot milk mixture.

6. 6

   Stir egg mixture into saucepan cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is hot but Not Boiling.

7. 7

   Stir in butter until melted. Remove from heat; stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour mixture over cookies and bananas in casserole; set aside.

8. 8

   Prepare meringue topping: In large bowl with mixer on high speed, beat egg whites, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

9. 9

   Spoon mixture over top of pudding, making sure meringue touches sides of casserole all around.

10. 10

    Bake 15 minutes until top is golden.