Real Banana Pudding

This is one of my favorite desserts to make and eat.   With summer in full swing I try to avoid using the oven as much as possible. This delicious dessert makes another sweet summer memory without baking the whole house.

Real Banana Pudding ~ Not instant pudding mix

Ingredients
1/3 cup sugar
3 TB cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups milk
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1 TB butter
1-2 bananas, sliced
Vanilla wafers
Directions

1. In a medium saucepan (not over heat yet) combine the  sugar, cornstarch and salt.
2. Slowly whisk milk into cornstarch mixture until well blended.
3. Cook mixture in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until pudding thickens enough to coat a metal spoon.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.
5. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
6. When ready to serve, line the bottom of 4 bowls with vanilla wafers. Top the wafers with banana slices and then pour the pudding on top, dividing evenly between 4 bowls.

Variations
If you plan on serving this in one large bowl slice banana's and mix in a small amount of lemon juice and water to prevent browning.  (not too much lemon or banana's will be very tart)
I enjoy layering my banana pudding with whipped cream sometimes mixing a small amount of pudding into a portion of the whipped cream to give it a light fluffy texture but still have the same flavor and add it as a new layer.