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Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

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A flaky pie crust filled with bananas and homemade custard and topped with whipped cream. It is comfort food at it’s finest! Banana cream pie is a must make dessert.

slice of banana cream pie ready to eat.

This yummy homemade banana pie is exactly what you’d expect it to be.  And that is what makes it so special.  The creamy custard, banana slices and pillowy whipped cream come together to make the perfect dessert.

It’s just like grandma might have made.  Make it for a party or make one for yourself, I won’t tell anyone!

In a time when it feels like we could all use a big hug, I am drawn to making old fashioned classics.  Things that remind us of the good old days in grandma’s kitchen.

Luckily my grandma’s kitchen is still a place I like to visit.  Though the current circumstances are keeping me away for their protection.

So for right now comfort is coming in the form of a pie.  I for one am one am ready to dig into an extra slice of creamy goodness.

saucepan full of homemade vanilla custard in front of pie crust filled with banana slices.

Making the pie

The pie is actually pretty easy to put together.  Start by blind baking your pie crust.

You can use store bought or make your favorite pastry recipe.  MiMi’s extra flaky pie crust is a great recipe or switch it up an make a chocolate pie crust.

The custard comes together pretty easily as well.  Because you want it to hold it’s shape when you cut a slice, it uses eggs, cornstarch and flour to thicken it.

You start by cooking the milk, flour and sugar together until it starts to bubble.  That is how the flour thickens liquid, so you need a little bubbling action.

lifting first slice of homemade banana cream pie out of pan.

Then use some of that hot liquid to temper the eggs.  It may sound complicated, but it is a way to keep the eggs from scrambling when you add them to the hot liquid.

After whipping some of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, slowly drizzle them back into the saucepan with the remaining liquid.  Keep whisking the mixture as you add the egg mixture to ensure a smooth final custard.

That’s really all it takes! Pour the warm custard over banana slices in the crust and let it all chill.

The banana flavor will start to seep into the custard and the magic happens! Top with whipped cream and you are ready to go.

The pie is made in advance, so it is perfect for guests.  You do, however, want to wait until you are ready to serve it to add any fresh banana slice garnish to avoid browning.

Tips and Tricks

To ensure your custard isn’t soupy, make sure you get it fully cooked before you remove it from the heat. It should have the consistency of pudding before you take it off the heat.

It will firm up a bit once chilled, but you want it to be fully cooked and thickened before you remove it from the heat.  Don’t let it make you nervous, it is easier than it sounds!

The custard pie can be refrigerated for three to four days.  Keep it covered with plastic wrap and well chilled to keep it tasty.

forkful of banana cream pie with homemade custard and fresh whipped cream

While this old fashioned pie is absolutely fabulous, if you are looking for a quick and easy banana cream pie I have you covered there too! My easy no-bake banana cream pie uses a graham cracker crust and instant pudding to make a quick and easy dessert.

slice of banana cream pie ready to eat.

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Carlee
A flaky pie crust filled with bananas and homemade custard and topped with whipped cream. It is comfort food at it's finest! Banana cream pie is a must make dessert.
5 from 8 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
 

Pie

  • 1 pie crust pastry
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • cups whole milk cold
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 bananas

Topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • additional banana for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Roll out pie crust and place in pie dish. Crimp edges and dock the bottom by piercing it with a fork a few times. Line with parchment paper or aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dry beans. Bake at 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes or according to your pastry directions. Remove weights and set aside to cool.
    1 pie crust pastry
  • In a large sauce pan, whisk together the sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt.
    ¾ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup all purpose flour, 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add about ¼ cup of milk and whisk until incorporated. Add remaining milk and stir to combine.
    2¼ cups whole milk
  • Turn heat to medium, stir frequently until the mixture starts to bubble.
  • Meanwhile, lightly beat the eggs in a medium glass bowl.
    2 large eggs
  • Once the milk mixture is starting to thicken, slowly ladle some into the bowl with the eggs while stirring. Continue to stir and add hot milk mixture into the eggs until you’ve added about a cup.
  • Slowly drizzle the egg mixture back into the saucepan while whisking. Drop heat to low and cook until the mixture is thick. It should have a rich pudding texture before you remove it from the heat.
  • Stir in the butter and vanilla.
    1 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon butter
  • Slice bananas and spread over the bottom of the cooled pie crust. Pour the custard over the banana slices. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
    2 bananas
  • Whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until it holds a stiff peak. Spread or pipe over the chilled pie. Chill until ready to serve.
    1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Garnish with additional banana slices just before serving if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 173mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22g
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Recipe Rating




Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Friday 10th of April 2020

This sounds sooo good! And, I can't even guess when the last time I had a banana pie was, but it has been years!

Carlee

Thursday 16th of April 2020

Then it is time to change that!

Andrea Nine

Monday 23rd of March 2020

Sweet friend, this is comfort food pie at its finest! I will definitely be making this, so many recipes are getting made these days! Hope you guys are hanging in there OK and big virtual hug’s!

Carlee

Thursday 16th of April 2020

It is definitely comfort food at its best!

Carlee

Friday 20th of March 2015

It worked really well. Putting it in a nice glass makes the comfort food seem a little fancy!

Carlee

Friday 20th of March 2015

It worked really well. Putting it in a nice glass makes the comfort food seem a little fancy!

Carlee

Friday 20th of February 2015

Thank you so much!!