CLASSIC BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch and egg yolks in a large bowl to make a paste. Combine the milk, 1/2 cup each heavy cream and sugar and the salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking. Return the mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla. Set the pudding aside to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Spread 1/2 cup pudding in a 2-quart baking dish. Layer about one-third of the banana slices on top, followed by half of the cookies and a heaping cup of the pudding. Top with another one-third of the banana slices and another heaping cup of pudding, then top with the remaining banana slices, cookies and pudding. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, beat the remaining 1 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Spread on top of the pudding. Top with crushed cookies.