Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie, with its velvety custard, sweet sliced bananas, and a cloud of whipped cream, is a classic dessert that takes you on a nostalgic journey with every bite. This timeless treat has been gracing American dessert tables for generations, and for good reason. It’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors that offers comfort and indulgence in equal measure. So, let’s embark on a culinary adventure and create an Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie that’s as delightful to make as it is to savor.

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 ripe bananas, sliced

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preparing the Pie Crust:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar.
2. Add the cold, diced unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and toss the mixture with a fork. Stop adding water when the dough starts to come together. You should be able to pinch the dough and have it hold its shape.
4. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Rolling Out the Pie Crust:

5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pie crust into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish.
7. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp the edges decoratively.
8. Line the pie crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans to prevent the crust from puffing up during baking.
9. Bake the pie crust in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove the parchment paper and weights halfway through baking.
10. Let the pie crust cool completely before adding the filling.

Preparing the Filling:

11. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
12. Gradually whisk in the whole milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
13. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
14. Once the mixture has thickened, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, still stirring constantly.
15. Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually whisk in the lightly beaten egg yolks.
16. Return the saucepan to the heat and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
17. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract until the butter is fully melted.
18. Allow the custard to cool for a few minutes.

Assembling the Pie:

19. Arrange half of the sliced bananas on the bottom of the baked and cooled pie crust.
20. Pour half of the custard over the bananas.
21. Add the remaining sliced bananas on top.
22. Pour the remaining custard over the bananas, spreading it out evenly.

Preparing the Whipped Cream Topping:

23. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until it begins to thicken.
24. Add the powdered sugar and pure vanilla extract and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.

Final Assembly:

25. Spoon the whipped cream over the banana-filled custard layer, spreading it out evenly.
26. For an extra touch, garnish with banana slices or chocolate shavings.

Chilling and Serving:

27. Refrigerate the Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie for at least 2 hours, or until it’s fully set.
28. Slice, serve, and savor a slice of nostalgia with every bite.

Variations and Tips

• Chocolate Lovers: Add a layer of chocolate ganache to the bottom of the pie crust before adding the banana slices for a delicious chocolate-banana twist.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted chopped nuts, like almonds or pecans, over the whipped cream topping for added texture and flavor.
• Make It Ahead: You can prepare the pie crust and custard filling a day in advance, keeping them covered and refrigerated. Assemble the pie just before serving for the freshest taste and appearance.
• Banana Freshness: To prevent the banana slices from browning, brush them with a mixture of lemon juice and water before layering them in the pie.
• Extra Flavors: Experiment with different extracts like almond or coconut extract for unique flavor profiles.

 

Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is a dessert that transcends generations, offering a sweet, creamy, and comforting experience that’s simply timeless. With its flaky pie crust, silky custard, fresh banana slices, and billowy whipped cream, each bite is a trip down memory lane. So, indulge in a slice of nostalgia, share it with loved ones, and celebrate the beauty of a classic dessert that never goes out of style. Enjoy!