Yield: 12 servings
Total: 3 hr 10 min (includes refrigeration time)
Active: 40 min
Ingredients
Deselect All
6 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup cornstarch
12 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
114 vanilla wafer cookies, such as Nilla Wafers (from two 15-ounce boxes), plus 5 cookies, crushed
12 medium-ripe bananas, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
3/4 cup cold heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Directions
Special equipment: 4-quart trifle dish
Bring the milk to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat, then remove from the heat. Meanwhile, whisk the sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla paste and salt together in a medium bowl.
While whisking, slowly add about 1 cup of the warm milk to the egg mixture. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Continue to cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.
Transfer the pudding to a large bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
Arrange 19 wafer cookies in the bottom of a 4-quart trifle dish. Top with 1 cup pudding, then arrange 2 sliced bananas on top. Repeat the layers ending with bananas.
Add the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and a pinch of salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
Spread the whipped cream over the pudding and sprinkle the crushed wafer cookies around the border. Refrigerate until the pudding is firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
