Hansel Pudding

This is from my Southern Living cookbook.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1⁄2 cup cold water
• 5  eggs, separated
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup milk
• 1  cup  vanilla wafer crumbs
• 1  cup  chopped  nuts, walnuts or 1  cup pecans
• 1  cup  chopped maraschino cherry
•  whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Combine the gelatin and cold water and let stand 5 minutes.
2. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Combine egg yolks, sugar, and milk in top of a double boiler. Cook stirring constantly until thickened, about 20 minutes. stir in the gelatin and vanilla wafer crumbs and cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly; cool. Stir in nuts and cherries.
3. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until stiff; fold into the pudding mixture. Spoon into a lightly-greased 9-inch square glass pan and chill until set, about 2 hours. Spoon into individual serving dishes and garnish with whipped cream and a whole cherry, if desired.