Banana Cream Pie Recipe
This easy banana cream pie recipe is made completely from scratch, with no pudding mixes or artificial flavors. It features a graham cracker or traditional pie crust, rich vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and fluffy homemade whipped cream. The result is a silky, creamy dessert that’s perfect for holidays or any occasion
Ingredients
- For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 12 full sheets
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- A pinch of salt
- Or For the Traditional Pie Crust
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
- For the Vanilla Custard Filling
- 4 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk mixture whole milk or milk + cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3-4 ripe yellow bananas sliced
- For the Whipped Cream Topping
- 1–1½ cups cold heavy cream
- 3–4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½–1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of salt
- Optional Decorations
- Banana slices
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Shaved chocolate
- Cinnamon or nutmeg
- Whole vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Make the Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
- Press into 9-inch pie dish.
- Bake 8–10 minutes. Cool completely.
- Or Make Traditional Pie Crust
- Mix flour and salt. Cut in cold butter.
- Add ice water until dough forms. Chill 30 minutes.
- Roll out, fit into pie dish, blind bake at 375°F for 15 minutes with weights, then 5–7 minutes without. Cool.
- Make the Custard Filling
- Whisk yolks with cornstarch.
- Heat milk, sugar, and salt until simmering.
- Temper yolks with hot milk, return to saucepan, stir until thick.
- Stir in butter and vanilla. Strain if needed.
- Cool with plastic wrap touching surface.
- Assemble the Pie
- Slice bananas into cooled crust.
- Pour cooled custard over bananas. Cover and chill 4 hours.
- Whip the Cream
- Chill bowl and beaters.
- Beat cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
- Decorate and Serve
- Top with whipped cream and optional decorations.
- Chill 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy within 2 days.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with small brown spots for best flavor.
- For a no-bake crust, chill graham cracker base for 2 hours instead of baking.
- Prevent custard skin by pressing plastic wrap onto surface.
- For best results, make custard a day ahead and refrigerate overnight.
- Keep pie refrigerated and serve chilled. Remove from fridge 10 minutes before serving for best texture.