Banana Pudding (Puding Pisang)

My husband and I tried the famous Magnolia Bakery's Banana Pudding in our trip to NY and we like it a lot. One day I had 5 ripe bananas. I have made banana muffins too many times, and I really wanted to try something else. So I decided to go with banana pudding. I don't know about other recipe. But the recipe I tried makes a super delish pudding that I don't want to try any other banana pudding recipe.

Vanilla Wafer Crust

       - 2 1/2 cups (about 30) crushed vanilla wafers

       - 1/2 cup butter, melted

Vanilla Pudding

       - 3/4 cup sugar

       - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

       - 2 large eggs

       - 4 egg yolks

       - 2 cups milk

       - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Whipped Cream (I have some left overs of ready whip cream so I didn't make this)

       - 1 cup heavy cream

       - 1/4 cup powdered sugar

       - 1/2 tsp vanilla

4 medium bananas, cut into slices

20 vanilla wafers plus more for decoration

For the crust:

In a medium bowl, stir together crushed vanilla wafers and butter until blended. Firmly press on bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.

Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove to a wire rack, and let cool 30 minutes or until completely cool.

For the pudding:

Whisk together sugar, flour, eggs, yolks, and milk in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 10-12 minutes or until it reaches the thickness of chilled pudding (Mixture will just begin to bubble and will be thick enough to hold soft peaks when whisk is lifted. It must be thick an slightly bubbly to set up properly!) Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

Transfer to a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap, making sure to press the plastic directly on top of the custard so it doesn't get a "skin" on it. Refrigerate till completely cool. (Can be made up to a day in advance)

For the whipped cream:

In a medium bowl whip cream on medium high speed till soft peaks form. Slowly add the sugar and vanilla, and continue to beat till thick and stiff. Don't overbeat or you'll have butter!

Assembly:

Arrange half of the banana slices evenly over the bottom of cooled crust. Spread 1/3 of cooled pudding over bananas, then layer with 20 vanilla wafers. Spread 1/3 more pudding over vanilla wafers, then add the remainder of the banana slices and cover them with the last of the pudding. Spread the whipped cream over the entire pie and decorate with more vanilla wafers if desired.

The layers from the bottom up should be: vanilla wafer crust, bananas, pudding, vanilla wafers, pudding, bananas, pudding, whipped cream.

Refrigerate at least for 4 hours. Overnight is best. Consume within 2 days.