Fudge Banana Pudding

golfergirlj's Note:

Another fabulous SL recipe for chocolate and banana lovers. It is delicious warm or cold. I have made this many times and it never fails to please everyone! I have estimated the time to make it- sounds like a lot of steps, but it goes together really quickly and best of all....it is foolproof! Make sure you use a big enough bowl since it makes quite a lot, especially if you decide to add extra bananas. I also guessed at the # of servings since it really depends on how much you "dish out" for each person.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 2⁄3; cups sugar
• 1⁄3; cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 4 large eggs , separated
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 (11 ounce) package chocolate wafers
• 6 large bananas
• 1⁄3; cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan.
2. Whisk in milk, half-and-half, and egg yolks.
3. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened.
4. Remove from heat, and stir in chocolate morsels and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
5. Reserve 14 wafers.
6. Arrange one-third of remaining chocolate wafers in the bottom of a 4-quart baking dish.
7. Slice 2 bananas, and layer over wafers.
8. Top with one-third of pudding mixture.
9. Repeat layers twice and arrange reserved wafers on top.
10. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
11. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
12. Fold in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
13. Spread meringue over pudding, sealing to edge of dish.
14. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until golden.