Creating a perfect Baked Banana Pudding is easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 3-quart baking dish for the pudding.
3. Layer Wafers: Place a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom of the dish.
4. Add Bananas: Top the wafers with a layer of sliced bananas.
5. Make Pudding Mixture: In a saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth.
6. Cook the Pudding: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
7. Temper Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten eggs. Gradually add a few spoonfuls of the hot pudding mixture to the eggs to temper them, then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan.
8. Finish Pudding: Stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes until well blended and thickened. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter, stirring until smooth.
9. Combine Layers: Pour half of the pudding mixture over the banana layer in the baking dish. Repeat with another layer of wafers, bananas, and the remaining pudding.
10. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 25 minutes before serving. This allows the pudding to set properly.