Southern banana pudding

There are many different ways to make Southern banana pudding. While it typically starts with vanilla wafer cookies topped with banana slices lining the bottom of a baking dish, what you do from there is really up to you. In the recipe below I've used boxed vanilla pudding to speed the process up a little bit, but you can certainly make your own if you're so inclined. You can also either keep it traditional and use meringues or, if you'd rather, top it with lots of whipped cream.

If there is one thing I suggest you absolutely do, it's to have at least one serving while the pudding is still warm. It will fill you up with its pure deliciousness, and there's really nothing more comforting than warm bananas topped with a crispy meringue. It will keep very well in the fridge so you have lots of time to enjoy it cold, but first take at least a few bites as soon as it comes out of the oven. You won't regret it, I promise!