July 7, 2019 (updated December 10, 2021) by Zoë François | fruit dessert, pie, video
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Banana Cream Pie is a classic and one I don’t visit nearly enough. I had a craving for it and decided to bring it, along with a couple of galettes, to a summer party. I figured I would be left alone in the corner with my pie and the rest of the guests would enjoy the colorful and fruity galettes.
The Banana Cream Pie emerged from the kitchen and I think one of the guests actually started clapping and exclaimed something to the effect of “this party was great, but it just went to the next level!” and he threw his hands in the air. It turns out I’d recreated his favorite and he wasn’t alone.
It’s funny how these rather retro American desserts, like the Banana Cream Pie and Baked Alaska bring back memories of grandmothers and childhoods. I am happy to report that this version did not disappoint and I sent the last piece home with the man who cheered for Banana Cream Pie, which is why I have no pictures of the slice. 😉 You’ll just have to make one to see how beautifully it cuts and how fantastic it tastes.
You can watch me make the pie in my instagram video and recipe below.
Do you have pie questions or need to troubleshoot your recipe? Check out my guide onhow to make pie crust.
See my instagram video to see how I decorate the pie.
Banana Cream Pie
It's funny how rather retro American desserts, like the Banana Cream Pie bring back memories of grandmothers and childhoods. I am happy to report this version, inspired by Sarabeth's Bakery, does not disappoint. You have to make one to see how beautifully it cuts and how fantastic it tastes.
5 from 5 votes
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Author: Zoë François
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 12 whole (185g) graham crackers
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 5 tbsp (71g) unsalted butter melted
- pinch salt
- 2 oz (57g) bittersweet chocolate very finely chopped (for painting on the finished crust)
Banana Custard Filling
- 2 1/2 tsp (one package) powdered gelatin
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 egg
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup (75g) sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch or tapioca flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped Save the pod to make vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream whipped to medium peak
- 3 large or 4 small bananas cut into 1/4-inch thick coins
Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream whipped to medium peak
- 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- chocolate curls for top
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grind the graham crackers, brown sugar, butter and salt together until it is uniform and sticks together when squeezed. Dump it into a 9-inch pie dish and press into an even crust. Bake for 15 minutes, until set and toasted.
Once it is baked and still hot, add the chopped chocolate to the crust and spread it out so it will melt. If it doesn't melt, just put it in the oven for a few minutes. Spread the chocolate out with a spatula or spoon, making sure to bring it up the sides of the crust as well. Set aside so the chocolate can begin to set.
Banana Custard Filling
Bloom the gelatin in the 2 tablespoons water.
In a bowl, whisk together the egg, yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
Heat the milk and vanilla seeds in a saucepan until simmering. Whisk a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture, repeat until the milk is warm to the touch, then add the warm egg mixture to the saucepan and bring it to a boil, whisking constantly.
Once the mixture has started to boil, continue to whisk as it boils for 3 minutes. Any less and your custard may weep once it has cooled. Add the bloomed gelatin and whisk until it is completely dissolved.Strain the custard into a large bowl, cover with plastic and cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, fold in the whipped cream, then the sliced bananas and pour into the prepared pie crust. Press plastic right to the surface of the pie and refrigerate for about 2 hours, but this can be made a day ahead.
To serve, cover with the whipped cream topping and chocolate shavings. I used a giant rose tip to pipe the ruffles you see in my photos.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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I love banana cream pie! Looks so delicious and perfect for the summer!
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Yes please! And thank you for a beautiful and inspiring blog!
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I’m going to make it over the next weekend, and to make it perfect with your soundtrack of bossa nova, a Brazilian music genre from the 60’s.
Perfect! Perfect!Reply
Big fan here, the eggs didn’t scramble but after the gelatin and it cooled it seemed to separate and is a little grainy. Did the gelatin cause the graininess or was it something else?
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Hi Janell—Thanks so much for being a fan! If it’s grainy, it didn’t come to a boil for long enough. Cook the mixture with the corn starch longer before turning it down and adding the gelatin. I hope this is helpful for future!
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Oh my, so delicious the crust. It could be a cookie. Our friend is 96. He hummed all the way eating it. Kept saying so good, so good. Tks so much keeper recipe.Reply
