Maple Granola Shortbread Homemade Banana Pudding - cookies

Method

• For the cookies: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until creamed together.
• Add the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla to the bowl and mix until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, combine the granola flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix well on medium speed. Add remaining dry ingredients, mixing until the dough just starts to form. Add granola and mix until the granola is just incorporated.
• With floured hands, remove dough from bowl and shape into a fat log. Wrap completely in a piece of plastic wrap and using the heels of your hands, roll against the counter to form a long log, about 2 inches in diameter. If the dough is too soft to shape, place in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until the dough has set slightly.
• Once you've formed a log, place wrapped dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (the cookie dough will stay good for 2 days in the fridge and indefinitely in the freezer).
• When ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the log of cookie dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place on a prepared cookie sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes or until the edges are browned and the center has set. Place on a cooling rack to cool.
• For the Pudding: In a large saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Pour in milk gradually, stirring constantly until well combined. Place on burner and cook over medium heat. Add ripened bananas once everything has dissolved and liquid is smooth. Continue cooking stirring constantly for about 3-4 minutes or until mixture starts to boil and thicken.
• Meanwhile, slightly beat the egg yolks in a spouted bowl or large measuring cup.
• Once the milk mixture has thickened, remove the bananas with a slotted spoon and discard. Add about 2 cups of the hot milk mixture to egg yolks, stirring constantly making sure the eggs don't cook. Once well-combined, add egg yolks back to the large saucepan, stirring constantly for about a minute or two more.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Let sit to cool for a few minutes .
• To assemble the pudding: line the bottom (and sides if you'd like) of a round 2 qt. casserole dish with baked granola cookies ( I used about 14).
• Layer cookies with 4-6 thinly sliced bananas.
• Pour hot pudding mixture over bananas and spread evenly with a spatula. Top pudding with meringue (recipe below) making sure the meringue completely covers pudding. Mold/decorate meringue to your liking.
• Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve warm (preferable) or cold.
• For the meringue: In a large bowl, add 4 room temperature egg whites, 1/2 tsp cream of tartar, and 1 tsp. vanilla. With an electric mixer, beat on medium heat or until soft peaks form. Adding 1 Tbsp at a time, add a total of 1/2 cup ultra fine sugar to the mixture, beating constantly until stiff peaks form, Spread over hot pudding.