Fudge Banana Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 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
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. 1

   Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan.

2. 2

   Whisk in milk, half-and-half, and egg yolks.

3. 3

   Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened.

4. 4

   Remove from heat, and stir in chocolate morsels and 1 tablespoon vanilla.

5. 5

   Reserve 14 wafers.

6. 6

   Arrange one-third of remaining chocolate wafers in the bottom of a 4-quart baking dish.

7. 7

   Slice 2 bananas, and layer over wafers.

8. 8

   Top with one-third of pudding mixture.

9. 9

   Repeat layers twice and arrange reserved wafers on top.

10. 10

    Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

11. 11

    Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.

12. 12

    Fold in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

13. 13

    Spread meringue over pudding, sealing to edge of dish.

14. 14

    Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until golden.