These instructions are for cooking the vanilla pudding in a microwave. Layer pudding with bananas and vanilla wafers. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Add ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 3 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, 2 cups milk, and ¼ teaspoon table or sea salt to a blender or food processor bowl. Pulse 5 times until mixed well. Pour into a 2-quart batter bowl.
Microwave on HIGH 4-5 minutes. Stop and whisk well. Microwave for 2-3 more minutes, stopping to whisk when pudding starts to rise in a bowl or at least once every minute. (Note: Microwaves vary in power. My microwave is older and slower. Check your pudding after 3 minutes. Yours could be done in as little as 5 minutes.)
When the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon (see picture), remove from the microwave. Whisk the pudding until smooth.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract to the pudding. Whisk well.
Assembly
Cover the bottom of a 1½ quart casserole dish with a thin layer of pudding.
Add a layer of 1 11-oz box vanilla wafers followed by a layer of sliced 4 medium or 3 large bananas.
Add half of the remaining pudding, followed by another layer of vanilla wafers and bananas.
End with a layer of pudding.
Cover with plastic wrap placed in a way that it touches the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream.
Whipped Cream Topping
Pour 1 cup heavy whipping cream into a small ball. Use a small mixer to whip cream. When whipping cream starts to get thick, add the ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Continue beating until the cream will hold a fairly stiff peak. Don't beat too long or the whipping cream will turn into butter.
Spread over the chilled banana pudding and serve immediately.
Notes
1. If you decide to make your own shortbread, let it cool, then crumble and layer in the same way as vanilla wafers.2. I don't use a sieve for this pudding. Mixing in a blender before microwaving prevents lumps. However, if the pudding does turn out lumpy, push it through a coarse sieve before it cools.3. I also use this recipe to make banana cream pie, coconut cream pie, and chocolate cream pie.4. Many people put meringue on top of their banana pudding, but I'm a whipped cream girl. Suit yourself.