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This Banana Cream Pie is a traditional masterpiece with a small twist to add extra banana flavor! It’s insanely delicious!
Love this banana dessert? You have to try my Banana Pudding Icebox Cake too!
The Best Banana Cream Pie Recipe
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend and spent some nice time with friends and/or family. We spent time with friends throughout the weekend and enjoyed the mostly nice weather. We did get caught in a good bit of rain out on the lake Sunday, but everyone made the best of it. I guess if you’re going to get caught in the rain, already being wet from swimming makes it not so bad. 🙂
And then of course there’s the reason we celebrate – remembering those who have served our country and given themselves for our freedom. The sacrifice of those men and women, as well as their families, is huge. It’s hard to even imagine the experience of so many – past and present. It’s something that I hope to not take for granted.
Today I’m sharing a pretty traditional recipe. I like to call it an oldie but goodie. There are just some classics that should never get left behind and this is one of them. The hubs and I will forever be banana fans, so this dessert was one that was not shared. We’re selfish like that. 😉
How to Make a Banana Cream Pie
To start, I went with a traditional pie crust. I personally think this is the way to go, but you could certainly swap it out for a graham cracker crust if you prefer. For the traditional pie crust route, you’ll want to blind bake the pie fully since it won’t be baked further later.
The filling is custard based. Egg yolks, milk and sugar are the primary base. Cornstarch is added and, along with the egg yolks, works to thicken the filling. Vanilla and butter are added at the end for some additional flavor.
The filling is made in two parts. First the cornstarch thickens the milk and sugar. Then, a little bit of the milk mixture is added to the eggs, before adding the eggs to the milk mixture. This is called “tempering” the eggs so that they warm up more slowly and don’t turn into hard boiled egg yolks when added to the hot mixture. After adding the eggs, the filling is then further cooked and thickened before adding the butter and vanilla at the end.
Of course I did add a bit of twist. When the egg yolks are added to the filling, so are some mashed bananas. I’m serious when I tell you of our love for banana flavor and I’ve always found it funny that “banana” cream pie doesn’t have more banana flavor to it, so I added some. 🙂 It adds some extra banana flavor to filling that we were big fans of. Of course if you want to go the truly traditional route, you can just leave it out.
This pie is seriously delicious. Like I said, there was no sharing. The hubs threatened mutiny if I gave any away. 🙂 I guess you’ll just have to make it to see for yourself!
More Banana Recipes
Easy Banana Bread
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast
Bananas Foster Cheesecake
Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Banoffee Cupcakes
Bananas Foster Cookie Pizza
Banana Cream Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 Slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Banana Cream Pie is a traditional masterpiece with a small twist to add extra banana flavor! It’s insanely delicious!
Ingredients
PIE CRUST AND FILLING
- Pillsbury pie crust
- 2–3 bananas
- 5 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3 cups milk (I use 2%)
- 1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
WHIPPED CREAM
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Blind bake the pie crust in a 9 inch pie pan according to the package directions. Once it’s done baking, set aside to cool.
2. Add a row of thickly sliced bananas to the bottom of the pie crust.
3. Put the egg yolks in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Add the sugar, cornstarch and milk to a large saucepan and whisk together to combine.
5. Cook, stirring continuously, over medium-high heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble.
6. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
7. Add a little bit of the milk mixture to the eggs, then add egg mixture to milk mixture, along with mashed bananas.
8. Place pan back on the heat and bring to a light boil. Allow to boil for 2 1/2 minutes, stirring continuously.
9. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
10. Pour the filling into the pie, covering the sliced bananas, and cover with clear wrap pressed against the top so that it doesn’t get a film on top. Refrigerate until firm.
11. To make the whipped cream, add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on high until stiff peaks form.
12. Spread whipped cream on top of pie, then add a few additional sliced bananas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 376
- Sugar: 32.3 g
- Sodium: 152.7 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 51.5 g
- Protein: 5.5 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Filed Under:
Enjoy!
Very good pie , I tweaked just a little instead of adding one and a half teaspoons of vanilla. I added a teaspoon of vanilla and a half a banana extract and then it was perfect. I also soaked my sliced bananas and some lemon juice only because I hate when they turn brown or black then I can’t eat them and that does prevent them from turning and it doesn’t change the flavor any. So thank you very much for sharing your recipe
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi i haven’t tried mine yet but am just wondering what you used for garnish on top around the bananas? Thx!!!
Gosh, it’s been so long since I made, it hard to remember. I think it might be some crushed up vanilla wafers.
HI, this looks like a great twist on the recipe. Can I add more banana to the heated egg yolk. I wan to make this for a very dear friend that loves this pie but due to cancer has hard time swallownig so the more blended the better. Thank you very much for your advice.
I think adding more banana would affect the results. I wouldn’t recommend it.
How long do u leave this in the refrigerator for? Can you put it in the freezer if you wanted to?
It should be fine in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. I personally wouldn’t freeze it.
I made this pie yesterday. The taste is delicious, however it did not set as firm as it should have. I cooked it a little longer but I was wondering could you increase the cornstarch with an additional tablespoon? I notice on other recipes that the cornstarch to milk ratio is less milk (2 to 2-1/2 cups) to the same amount of cornstarch (1/4 cup).
You could certainly try adding a little more cornstarch.