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Indulge in the classic flavor of Banana Cream Pie with this easy and delicious recipe. A flaky pie crust is filled with a creamy mixture of ripe bananas, sugar, and vanilla, topped with a layer of whipped cream. Perfect for any occasion!
Sweet and Creamy Classic Banana Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie is a classic dessert that is both creamy and sweet. It consists of a flaky pie crust filled with a creamy mixture of ripe bananas, sugar, and vanilla, topped with a layer of whipped cream.
The filling is usually made with a mixture of milk, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks, which is cooked until thick and then combined with sliced bananas. The whipped cream is spread over the top of the filling, creating a light and airy texture that balances out the richness of the custard.
This pie is a perfect dessert for any occasion, as it is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of the sweet, creamy filling and the flaky crust make Banana Cream Pie a classic dessert that will never go out of style.
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How to Make Banana Cream Pie
To make banana cream pie, you will need:
- The pie crust provides a flaky and buttery base that balances out the sweetness of the filling.
- The ripe bananas add a natural sweetness and a soft, creamy texture to the filling.
- The sugar adds additional sweetness to the filling and helps to bring out the flavor of the bananas.
- The vanilla extract provides a warm and sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Milk is an important ingredient in Banana Cream Pie as it contributes to the creamy texture of the custard filling.
- The egg yolks provide richness and depth of flavor to the custard, as well as helping to thicken the filling. The proteins in the egg yolks coagulate, or set, when heated, which is what gives the custard its thick and creamy texture. The egg yolks also contribute to the custard’s custard’s yellow color, which is a classic feature of Banana Cream Pie.
- Cornstarch is an important ingredient in Banana Cream Pie because it helps to thicken the custard filling. The custard filling, made up of milk, egg yolks, and cornstarch, is cooked on the stove until thick and creamy. The cornstarch acts as a thickener, absorbing liquid and swelling to create a smooth and stable texture in the filling. Without the cornstarch, the custard would not have the same creamy texture, and it may not hold its shape or set properly.
- The whipped cream provides a light and airy texture that balances out the richness of the custard and adds a subtle sweetness.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
- Make the pie crust: A flaky and buttery pie crust is the base of the pie, providing a neutral flavor and a sturdy base for the filling. A good pie crust should be made with high-quality ingredients, such as all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and salt, and should be handled gently to ensure a flaky texture.
- Bake the pie crust: Baking the pie crust before adding the filling will help to prevent a soggy bottom and ensure that the crust is crisp and flaky.
- Make the custard filling: The custard filling is made by heating milk, egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch on the stove until thick and creamy. This step is important as it thickens the filling and creates a smooth and creamy texture.
- Add the sliced bananas: Sliced ripe bananas are added to the custard filling to provide natural sweetness and a soft, creamy texture. The bananas should be sliced just before adding them to the filling to prevent them from browning.
- Pour the filling into the pie crust: The custard filling is poured into the pre-baked pie crust, creating a layer of creamy and sweet filling.
- Make the whipped cream: Whipped cream is made by whipping heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until it forms stiff peaks. This step is important as it provides a light and airy texture that balances out the richness of the custard filling.
- Top the pie with whipped cream: The whipped cream is spread over the top of the custard filling, creating a beautiful and delicious dessert.
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Banana Cream Pie
Use ripe bananas: Make sure to use ripe bananas, as they are sweeter and provide the best flavor. If your bananas are not ripe, you can ripen them by leaving them out at room temperature for a day or two.
Make the pie crust from scratch: A homemade pie crust will have a better flavor and texture than a store-bought one. Use high-quality ingredients and handle the dough gently to ensure a flaky texture.
Bake the pie crust before adding the filling: Baking the pie crust before adding the filling will help to prevent a soggy bottom and ensure that the crust is crisp and flaky.
Cook the custard filling properly: Make sure to cook the custard filling until it is thick and creamy. This will ensure that the filling holds its shape and sets properly.
Slice the bananas just before adding them to the filling: Sliced bananas will brown over time, so make sure to slice them just before adding them to the filling to prevent discoloration.
Chill the pie before serving: Letting the pie chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours will help the filling to set and the flavors to intensify.
Top the pie with whipped cream just before serving: Whipped cream can become watery if left on the pie for too long, so it is best to add it just before serving.
Let pie set: You want to give this pie plenty of time to set. The middle of the pie will set last as it cools down, but if you do not give it plenty of time to cool then it will spill off the crust as you slice it.
Stir constantly: The custard itself is pretty hard to mess up as long as you stir it constantly. If you stop stirring it, then you will have bits of burnt custard on the bottom of your pot.
FAQ’s
Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust or make your own, if you prefer!
Yes, you can make the pie ahead of time. The flavors will intensify if you let it chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. However, it is best to add the whipped cream just before serving to prevent it from becoming watery.
No, it is best to use ripe, fresh bananas for the filling as they provide the best flavor and texture.
Yes, you can use any type of whipped cream, such as heavy cream, light cream, or non-dairy whipped cream, for the topping.
This pie can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What to Serve With Banana Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie is a delicious easy classic dessert that is fantastic at cookouts – it’s so easy to whip up, it is a fabulous finish for hearty meals like Smoked Pork Ribs, Crispy Baked Pork Shoulder, or Hot and Fast Brisket!
Find more of our BBQ and cookout recent favorites:
Banana Cream Pie Recipe
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Banana Cream Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 premade pie crust
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup corn starch
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- 3 ripe bananas sliced
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- Optional sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
- Use a fork to poke holes in your crust and prebake it according to the recipe/ box directions. Prebaking a pie crust usually consists of baking it for 10 minutes at 450 degrees.
- While the crust is prebaking, assemble the custard by first whisking together the eggs and egg yolk in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- In pot or saucepan, whisk together the milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, granulated sugar, and corn starch. Cook the ingredients over medium high heat until the liquid thickens. Stir the mixture constantly to prevent any burning at the bottom of your pot.
- Once the mixture begins to thicken, reduce the heat to low and add 1 cup of the liquid to the eggs and whisk vigorously to temper the eggs.
- Add the egg mixture to the custard mixture and whisk until homogenous.
- Add the butter and whisk again until the butter is fully melted. Pour the custard into a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Press the plastic wrap right against the custard to prevent any condensation. Allow the custard to chill in the fridge for 1 hour while your pie crust cools.
- Pour half of the custard into the pie crust and layer the banana slices on top, followed by the remaining custard.
- Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form. Once the cream is whipped, spread it over the top of the pie and top with almonds if desired.
- Allow the pie to chill in the fridge for another 3-4 hours to allow the pie time to set.
- Serve and enjoy!
