Pound Cake Banana Pudding

Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat; cook, whisking constantly, 13 to 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla until butter melts. Layer half of pound cake cubes, half of bananas, and half of pudding mixture in a 3-quart round baking dish. Repeat layers. Cover pudding, and chill 6 hours.

Spread Meringue over pudding.

Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Sara Lee Family Size All Butter Pound Cake.

*Meringue

1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar and salt.

Beat egg whites and vanilla at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat 2 to 3 minutes or until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups

Source: Southern Living (March 2006)