The stage was set. We weren't on Food Network or anything, but the stakes were high and you could cut the tension with a knife...

But before I get to that, let me tell you how this little competition all began.

First, my son, Korben, thinks the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, is the best thing since chocolate cake. He has both of his books and pretty much thinks he is the voice of total authority when it comes to cooking.

Well, Buddy don't know my mama...

He wanted to make Buddy's Italian Custard Cream so we could make a cake with it. So, I got all the ingredients and followed the recipe to a T--to a "T", mind you!! Korben and I followed the step-by-step directions in his recipe book and what turned out was a lumpy, grainy mess that strangely resembled applesauce.

I took one taste and said, "Good Lord, my mama's recipe is WAY better than this stuff!"

And the competition was afoot! Korben challenged me, so I immediately went to the phone and called my mama to get her recipe so I could follow it precisely, just like we did with Buddy's. Now, Buddy's called for two different bowls, and you even had to "temper the eggs" (who actually does that??). After I got my mama's recipe over the phone, I asked her, "Do I need to do anything special? Like add the butter after I take it off the eye?" "No," she said. "Just throw it all in there and get it hot. Well, I guess you can break the stick in half with your hands if you really feel like it."

I really felt like it.

I made mama's recipe. As we stood there, in front of the stove, we watched as her recipe morphed into the most succulent, satisfying, golden delicious pudding you would ever want to invite into your mouth. Korben saw the custard beginning to take shape in my pot and began to furiously whisk Buddy's concoction, trying in vain to beat out the lumps. No chance. I insisted mine was better. He insisted that nobody could ever beat Buddy. So, we did what any fair family would do. We put it to the test.

Here's Buddy's:

Here's Mama's:

Same spot, same lighting, same iPhone.

All the kids lined up for the blind taste test. Tension wasn't this high since the last time we watched "Cupcake Wars" as a family. Taste after taste was recorded.

And the Custard award goes to...

Mama!!!

Oh, I love my mama.

But, Korben wasn't so happy. After the results were in, he remarked, "Yeah, well grandma doesn't have a television show." That's right--she was too busy COOKING!!

Here's her recipe:

Southern Vanilla Custard

2 1/2 cups half and half
1 cup sugar
dash salt
4 egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp corn starch
1 stick butter

Whisk together all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Drop in the butter (you can tear it in half with your hands if you get a hankerin'). Stirring the entire time with a whisk, cook it over medium heat until it is bubbling. Let it bubble for a good minute or so or until it's nice and thick. Remove from heat and continue stirring as it cools (maybe for an additional three minutes).

Important note: When you make banana pudding, don't you dare use that junk that comes in a box. That shouldn't even be allowed to be called pudding. Use this recipe!

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