Banana Cream Pie

Your family will love this easy Banana Cream Pie with a scrumptious made-from-scratch custard! The pie crust holds a mound of ripe banana slices topped with a creamy and sweet vanilla custard. Crown it with a generous topping of whipped cream and more banana slices and serve this chilled dessert to rave reviews!

If you’ve never made a traditional custard before, no worries! The custard recipe comes together easily on the stovetop and you’ll be delighted with the rich and creamy mixture that tastes even more amazing once it’s poured over the banana slices in the pie crust and chilled in the fridge. It’s the classic way to make a custard, just like your mom or grandma used to make it!

The homemade whipped cream that’s sweetened with confectioners sugar and flavored with vanilla extract makes this a true old-fashioned Banana Cream Pie that’s worth the extra effort. It’s the perfect pie to serve for spring and summer when you need a chilled and refreshing dessert!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses basic pantry ingredients
• Is a make-ahead recipe
• Is practically a no-bake recipe
• Can have it made and assembled in less than 30 minutes
• Banana lovers will adore it!

Ingredients Needed

Pie Crust – either store-bought or homemade
Sugar – use white granulated
Salt – for seasoning
Cornstarch – to help thicken the custard
Milk – to help make the custard
Butter – use unsalted
Eggs – you’ll need two whole 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks for the custard
Vanilla Extract – for flavoring
Ripe Bananas – to layer in the pie crust as well as to decorate the top of the pie
Heavy Cream – to help make the whipped cream topping
Powdered Sugar – to sweeten the whipped cream

How To Make The Banana Cream Pie

Note: this is a summary of the steps. For full instructions, see the recipe card down below.

STEP 1: Bake The Pie Crust: Either prepare your flaky pie crust from scratch or use a store-bought crust. Either way, blind bake it, according to package directions. If you need an easy homemade pie crust recipe, use the one I have in this recipe.
STEP 2: Make The Custard: Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, sugar, and salt and whisk while bringing to a gentle simmer.
STEP 3: Temper The Custard Mixtures: Remove 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture and whisk it into the eggs and cornstarch to temper the eggs. Slowly add the egg mixture to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and whisk in butter and vanilla. Cool the mixture before adding to the pie crust.
STEP 4: Assemble The Pie: To the pie crust, add a layer of fresh banana slices before pouring the cooled custard mixture over the bananas. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours.
STEP 5: Make The Whipped Cream Topping: Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl for several minutes until stiff peaks form. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread the whipped cream mixture over top of the pie and add extra banana slices, if desired, for garnish.

Crust Variations

Looking for some no-bake crust options? Any of these would be delicious:

• No Bake Graham Cracker Crust
• Nilla Wafer Crust
• Vanilla or Chocolate Oreo Cookie Crust

What Is Tempering?

Tempering is a term that’s used when you need to add hot ingredients to cold ingredients, or vice versa, and you don’t want the temperature variation of the ingredients to curdle or separate from each other when combined, so you add them slowly, while whisking, to soften the temperature impact.

In this recipe, you’ll add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture to gently bring the temperature up so that the egg mixture doesn’t scramble. Then, you’ll continue to slowly add the hot mixture, while whisking, until both mixtures are combined, making the creamy and rich custard.

Can I Make This Pie In Advance?

Absolutely! The custard portion of the pie needs to be chilled for at least 4 hours before adding the whipped cream topping. The longer you can let the pie chill before adding the topping and final banana slices, the better. Make it a day ahead or the night before and add the topping and freshly sliced bananas just before serving. It will be even easier to cut and serve the pie when it’s well-chilled.

Can I Use Store-Bought Cool Whip Instead Of Homemade Whipped Cream?

Sure! It’s an easy swap to make if you’re short on time. The cool whip should be thawed enough to spread easily over the top of the chilled custard without disturbing it.

How Do I Keep The Banana Slices From Browning?

For the decorative banana slices on top of the pie, you can slice the bananas and squeeze lemon juice over them before adding them to the top of the pie.

Storage

Store any leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.

More Delicious Banana-Inspired Recipes

Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Best Frosted Banana Walnut Cake
No-Bake Banana Split Cake
Carrot Banana Bundt Cake
Banana Bread
Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her viral website Moore or Less Cooking

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