Southern Banana Cake

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2 -In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch, and the salt and whisk to combine.

Step 3 -In a medium-sized, heavy saucepan, add the sugar mixture, the milk, and the egg yolks and whisk to combine.

Step 4 -Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, while stirring constantly, until the sugar mixture is thickened, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 5 -Transfer the saucepan from the heat.

Step 6 -Add the butter and the vanilla to the custard mixture and stir to combine.

Step 7 -In an 8-9-inch square baking dish, add 1/2 of the vanilla wafers in a single layer.

Step 8 -Layer 1/2 of the banana slices and 1/2 of the custard mixture over the wafer layer.

Step 9 -Repeat the layers with the remaining wafers, the remaining banana slices, and the remaining custard mixture.

Step 10 -In a mixing bowl, add the egg whites and use an electric handheld mixer to beat until foamy.

Step 11 -Add the remaining sugar to the egg whites and beat until the sugar dissolves and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.

Step 12 -Spread the meringue over the pudding, spreading it to the edges of the baking dish.

Step 13 -Bake until golden on top, about 7-9 minutes.

Step 14 -Allow the cake to cool for 30 minutes. Optionally, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 15 -Serve.