Gather ingredients: ripe bananas, milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, butter, vanilla extract, salt, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream or meringue
Slice the bananas
In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt
Slowly whisk in milk until smooth
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened
Whisk a little of the hot mixture into the egg yolks
Return the egg mixture to the saucepan
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring constantly
Remove from heat
Stir in butter and vanilla extract
Let the pudding cool slightly
In a serving dish, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding
Repeat the layers until ingredients are used
Top with whipped cream or meringue
Chill in the refrigerator before serving