Discover the magic of a truly Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie, a classic dessert that promises pure comfort and nostalgic delight. This recipe guides you through creating a lusciously smooth, homemade banana cream filling nestled within a flaky crust, proving that baking from scratch is both achievable and incredibly rewarding.
Key Ingredients for Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced (about 2 cups)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Optional: toasted sliced almonds or shaved chocolate, for garnish
How to Make Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
Creating this Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is a joyfully simple process that yields an exceptionally delicious and satisfying dessert. The creamy, rich custard comes together with minimal fuss, while the sweet, ripe bananas add a burst of natural flavor that beautifully complements the pastry. Expect to spend about 20 minutes of active preparation time, with an additional 2 hours for chilling.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Custard Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. This dry mixture will prevent lumps from forming later. Gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth, ensuring all the dry ingredients are well incorporated.
Temper the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the four large egg yolks. Slowly ladle about 1 cup of the milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking continuously. This process, called tempering, gradually warms the egg yolks, preventing them from scrambling when added to the hot liquid. Once tempered, pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.
Cook the Custard: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking. Continue to cook, stirring, until the custard thickens considerably and begins to bubble. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once it reaches a gentle boil, let it bubble for 1 minute more, still stirring, to ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked and the custard is smooth.
Enrich the Custard: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the butter is completely melted and incorporated into the warm custard, adding a lovely richness and depth of flavor.
Assemble the Pie: Arrange the sliced ripe bananas in the bottom of your pre-baked 9-inch pie crust. Pour the warm custard evenly over the bananas, ensuring they are fully covered. Gently spread the surface of the custard to create an even layer.
Chill the Pie: Cover the pie directly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap gently against the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the pie for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled and set. This chilling time is crucial for the custard to firm up properly, making it easy to slice.
Serve: Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap. Top generously with whipped cream. For an extra touch of elegance and texture, sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds or shaved chocolate, if desired. Slice and enjoy your homemade Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie!
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
You’ll absolutely adore this Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie for its incredibly rich and velvety smooth custard that coats your palate with pure vanilla bean goodness. Unlike store-bought versions that often rely on artificial flavors, this homemade pie bursts with the natural sweetness of perfectly ripe bananas, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and delightfully fresh. Making this pie at home is also a wonderful way to save money without sacrificing on quality; you get a gourmet-level dessert for a fraction of the cost of a bakery treat.
The creamy, luscious filling, reminiscent of a cherished childhood memory, is beautifully contrasted by the crisp, flaky crust and the cloud of fluffy whipped cream on top. It’s a dessert that brings smiles to faces and warmth to every gathering, far surpassing any packaged mix. Don’t wait to experience this slice of heaven; gather your ingredients and bake this Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie today – your tastebuds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your delicious Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is key to enjoying its perfect texture for days to come. Once the pie has been fully assembled and chilled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and then with aluminum foil to ensure an airtight seal. Refrigerate the pie at all times, as the custard and banana components require consistent cold temperatures to remain safe and to prevent spoilage. Your homemade Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie will stay fresh and delightful in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not attempt to freeze the pie, as the custard can become watery and the bananas may lose their texture upon thawing, significantly impacting the overall quality of the dessert. To serve, simply slice and enjoy your chilled masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
This Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is a testament to the simple beauty of classic desserts, offering unparalleled creaminess and authentic banana flavor. Dive into the joy of baking, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of pure homemade happiness with this timeless recipe.
Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. This dry mixture will prevent lumps from forming later. Gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth, ensuring all the dry ingredients are well incorporated.1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 cups whole milk
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the four large egg yolks. Slowly ladle about 1 cup of the milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking continuously. This process, called tempering, gradually warms the egg yolks, preventing them from scrambling when added to the hot liquid. Once tempered, pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.4 large egg yolks, 3 cups whole milk
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking. Continue to cook, stirring, until the custard thickens considerably and begins to bubble. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once it reaches a gentle boil, let it bubble for 1 minute more, still stirring, to ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked and the custard is smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the butter is completely melted and incorporated into the warm custard, adding a lovely richness and depth of flavor.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Arrange the sliced ripe bananas in the bottom of your pre-baked 9-inch pie crust. Pour the warm custard evenly over the bananas, ensuring they are fully covered. Gently spread the surface of the custard to create an even layer.1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust, 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced
- Cover the pie directly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap gently against the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the pie for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled and set. This chilling time is crucial for the custard to firm up properly, making it easy to slice.
- Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap. Top generously with whipped cream. For an extra touch of elegance and texture, sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds or shaved chocolate, if desired. Slice and enjoy your homemade Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie!whipped cream, toasted sliced almonds or shaved chocolate