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posted by Christy Denneyon Mar 15, 2023 (updated Dec 10, 2023) 52 comments »
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Banana Cream Pie is made with a super easy homemade custard and layers of fresh bananas. If you’re looking for a good homemade banana pie recipe, this dessert is for you.
BEST BANANA CREAM PIE RECIPE
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Pi Day, March 14th. 3.14 is the digital reading for March 14th and constant for the symbol Pi. It has become an unofficial holiday only to be celebrated with…wait for it…PIE!
This day, however,means so much more to us than an excuse to eat pie. A year ago my sister-in-law Kimi received a heart transplant on this very day.
It’s a day filled with a lot of emotion. A second chance at life forKimi and a day of remembrance for her donor and her family.
Besides Thanksgiving, I rarely take the time to make a pie but a new tradition has been started. My friend Brittany gave me her homemade banana cream pie recipe and I absolutely loved it.
You know I hate making pie crusts but this one is easy with simple ingredients and can be made in few minutes with a food processor.
Crimp the sides for that classic crust look. You want to blind bake (see directions below) it until it’s golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Next fill it with 3 sliced bananas and a super easy homemade vanilla pudding from scratch. Homemade custards usually terrify me but this one is super straight forward and is worth the taste.
I made this cake from start to finish in under an hour. No instant pudding mix here.
Top with some fresh whipped cream and you have heaven my friends. Sure you could use Cool Whip but fresh is always better.
Of course the boys could wait to slice it up…
HOW TO MAKE BANANA CREAM PIE
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place rack in the middle.
Roll out dough to fit into a 9″ pie pan and pinch the edges of the crust like shown above. Chill crust in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15 minutes.
After crust has been refrigerated or placed in freezer, line inside of pie with parchment paper and fill withpie weightsor dried beans to prevent shrinking. Bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven, remove parchment paper, and prick with a fork. Return to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
For the banana cream pie filling: In a large saucepan, add the sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in the milk and cook over medium heat until mixture is boiling and thickens. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir a small amount of the milk mixture into a separate bowl with the large egg yolks to temper them (about 2 tablespoons). This brings the temperature of the egg mixture up so that when they are added into the pan they don’t scramble. Add the tempered eggs back into the milk mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk constantly until the texture is thick. This is important!
Remove mixture from heat and add the butter and vanilla.
Transfer to a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
Slice bananas and place them in the pie crust and pour the filling on top.
For the whipped cream: Place heavy whipping cream and sugar in a chilled large bowl and mix on high for 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until soft peaks have formed. Don’t whip too much or you will end up will cottage cheese looking whipped cream.
Spread the whipped cream over the top of the pie and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
CAN I MAKE BANANA CREAM PIE AHEAD OF TIME?
CAN I MAKE BANANA CREAM PIE AHEAD OF TIME?You can make this Banana Cream Pie ahead of time up to step 10. You can make the crust and the filling up to two days ahead of time and store separately. Because the bananas will start to brown you don’t want to slice and assemble them until the day of serving.
CAN I MAKE A GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?
Sure. It’s just personal preference. I have a great graham cracker crust recipe.
Another option is a sugar cookie crust or a crust made from crushed vanilla wafers.
OTHER PIE RECIPES
- Banana Cream Pie
- Peanut Butter Pie
- S’mores Pie
- Cherry Cheese Pie
- Boston Cream Pie
- Chocolate Brownie Cream Pies
- Lemon Pie
- Peaches and Cream Pie
- Turtle Pie
- Nacho Pot Pie
Banana Cream Pie
4.48 from 19 votes
This delicious Banana Cream Pieis made with asuper easy homemade vanilla custard and layers of bananas and homemade whipped cream.
PrintPinRate
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
Servings: 8 slices
Ingredients
- 1 9" pie crust
Filling:
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 3 slightly beaten egg yolks
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 bananas
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons white sugar or 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavoring
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place rack in the middle.
Roll out pie dough to fit into a 9" pie dish and pinch the edges of the crust like shown above. Chill crust in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15 minutes.
After crust has been refrigerated or placed in freezer, line inside of pie with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans to prevent shrinking. Bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven, remove parchment paper, and prick with a fork. Return to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
For the filling: In a large saucepan, add the sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in the milk and cook over medium heat until mixture is boiling and thickens. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir a small amount of the milk mixture into a separate bowl with egg yolks to temper them (about 2 tablespoons). This brings the temperature of the eggs up so that when they are added into the pan they don't scramble. Add the tempered eggs back into the milk mixture and cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Whisk constantly until the texture is thick. This is important! If the mixture is not cooked until thick it won't set up properly.
Remove mixture from heat and add the butter and vanilla.
Transfer to a separate bowl. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
Slice bananas and place them in the pie shell and add the filling on top.
For the whipped cream: Place cream and sugar in a chilled mixing bowl and mix on high for 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until soft peaks have formed. Don't whip too much or you will end up will cottage cheese looking whipped cream.
Spread the whipped cream over the top of the filling and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
CAN I MAKE BANANA CREAM PIE AHEAD OF TIME?
You can make this Banana Cream Pie ahead of time up to step 10. You can make the crust and the filling up to two days ahead of time and store separately. Because the bananas will start to brown you don't want to slice and assemble them until the day of serving.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Christy Denney
All Desserts All Recipes Banana Desserts Pies Thanksgiving Recipesbanana Pie
originally published on Mar 15, 2023 (last updated Dec 10, 2023)
52 comments Leave a comment »
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52 comments on “Banana Cream Pie”
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Kim var — Reply
I’m making pie for Easter and as far as making pie crust this time last minute I wondered if I use pre-made frozen pie crust made by Marie calenders work ok? How long do you bake it also?
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Christy Denney — Reply
Yes you can use a frozen crust and just bake according to the package directions.
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Michael Brucato — Reply
The filling for this pie is the “BOMB” ! So creamy, smooth and easy and delicious! Making it from scratch makes all the difference! I took your advice and spritzed the bananas with lemon and they did not turn dark as you said! Thanks!!
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Christy Denney — Reply
Thank you!
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Michelle Thies — Reply
This is a really simple and delicious tasting filling. The only thing I would change on the instructions on making would be to continue cooking longer than 2 minutes. After adding the egg yolks to the rest of the filling I had to cook it for at least an additional 5-10 minutes on the stovetop stirring continuously. Now, I live in Southern Illinois and this was in December if that makes a difference. After making it the second time and cooking longer it set up much better!
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Christy Denney — Reply
Thank you for the tips!
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Aguilera — Reply
I make this pie (with a different crust), and sometimes it comes out perfect. Other times, its terrible. The reason why is because the recipe says butter. You should use unsalted butter, but the recipe doesn’t specify that. Also, I cut out the salt as well.
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Christy Denney — Reply
Thanks for the input. I will make that adjustment.
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Amanda — Reply
What piping tip did you use?
Thanks-
Christy Denney — Reply
To be honest this was so long ago but I think it was my big 2D wilton star tip.
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Sam — Reply
Is it just straight egg yokes or the whole egg
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Christy Denney — Reply
Just the egg yolks!
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Sam — Reply
Really want to try this recipe just want to make sure when it say egg just the yoke not the whites ?
Thanks-
Christy Denney — Reply
Yes. Just the yolk.
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Kara — Reply
Any idea how far in advance you can make this? Would it still be good and look as good two days out? Can’t wait to make it!!
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Christy Denney — Reply
I think it would be fine two days out.
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Chris turnwald — Reply
Great pie, tip to add 2 Tablespoons of heated milk mixture to the egg yokes is crucial to not getting scrambled eggs. This makes all the difference. Thanks.
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Christy Denney — Reply
You’re welcome!
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Sam — Reply
Do u just use the yoke or whole egg
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Axelle — Reply
I have never had banana cream pie.
I made it last week ant wow it’s so good !!
Only i have one question.
The vanilla in the curstard is it fresh vanilla of an extract like in the cream? i used the extract for both and it tasted good -
Maria — Reply
Banana
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Jenny F — Reply
I love making pies and I just made this one today. It was fantastic! Thanks so much for the great recipe! I’m totally recommending this to people. 😀
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Thank you!
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Amy — Reply
I made this banana cream pie for a family birthday. I was nervous since I don’t bake pies often and have never made a banana cream pie but this was straightforward and so tasty! I was tempted to make one of those “cheat” pies with the banana pudding mixes but I decided to go for the homemade version and am so glad I did! Love this recipe!
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Pies can be scary, I agree. So glad it worked out.
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Lindsey — Reply
I’m not very good at going back to comment on food blogs after I’ve tried their recipes, but I HAD to come back and say thank you. I made 3 cream pies last week – 2 of them were banana cream pies. Your recipe was the quickest and tasted by far the best. I’ve always liked banana cream pies, but this recipe has officially bumped it up to my pie love list. I’m even volunteering to bring desserts to different functions just so I can make this pie again. Thank you for such a delicious recipe!
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Thank you for commenting (I’m bad at it too). I really appreciate your feedback and you made my day!!
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Kiersten — Reply
This looks delicious – definitely going to try it out!
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Sarah — Reply
Just wanted to say I made this pie as soon as I got the email about it, it did not disappoint!!! I had never made a homemade custard before, what have I been doing for the last 30 years!? Lol so good, thanks for sharing!!!
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Sarah,
Yay!!! I love hearing that.
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Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) — Reply
Sweet celebration! This pie looks so good!
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Carol at Wild Goose Tea — Reply
First and most importantly—OMG in regard to your sister in law. That is really really big in the web of life
events! A story with a happy ending is like a good banana cream pie. I was bowled over with the comment by the person who had never had banana cream pie before. Boy howdy doe she have a wonderful experience on her path. Unfortunately Crisco does make a good pie crust. Everything in moderation is my motto. So this works. It looks and I know it tastes delicious. -
Melissa — Reply
Any idea if you could substitute the bananas for, say, blueberries? Seems like you could interchange other fruits no? Love your web site and love making your recipes for my friends and family.
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Yes! I think you could definitely substitute other fruits.
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Janelle — Reply
This is very close to the banana cream pie recipe my family has used for years. But we like to use a graham cracker crust. A lot less work and tastes great!
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peppylady (Dora) — Reply
Haven’t made a cream pie for ages. I know a family who lost there son at a young age in a car wreak and he donate his organs to someone and this did help with the grieving.
Nice blog. I found it though Facebook and at end of each month I like to adventure out and visit different and new blogs.Coffee is on
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Thanks for visiting!
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Kristy — Reply
Banana Cream Pie is my absolute favorite! Love that we have an even better reason to celebrate Pi Day now!
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Shereen from Tweet and Eats — Reply
Looks perfect! Pie crust and all, well done. I haven’t had Banana cream pie in forever… Need some!
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Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe — Reply
The perfect banana cream pie recipe has eluded me thus far, but this one looks like a winner. Must try!
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Laura @ My Friend's Bakery — Reply
LOVE the look of expectation on the boys faces! I’m going to make this for Easter dinner this year. Looks delicious!
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Lara @ Laura's Culinary Adventures — Reply
I have a hard time working with pie crusts too. I guess I need more practice. I would love a slice of this creamy pie!
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Mila Bassett — Reply
I love banana cream pie, only when it is made from scratch. DIY custard makes all the difference. I think pies like this are under-appreciated these days, thanks for bringing it up!
Very happy for your sister-in-law, and wishing her all the best. We have a daughter with a heart condition. Those girls are so strong!
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Oh I’m so sorry about your daughter. Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Chloe @ foodlikecake — Reply
This pie looks delicious! I’ve never had banana cream pie but I’ll have to now 🙂
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Medeja — Reply
I can say only one thing- wonderful pie!
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Ari — Reply
So grateful that everything is well for your sister! Pie is a great way to celebrate! I remember eating banana cream pie as a kid with vanilla wafers :)!
This looks great and easy! I am not the best at pie crust too :)! -
Candice — Reply
Looks fantastic! What a great addition for the Easter dessert table!
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Liz — Reply
Oh my geez, that looks so delicious! We always have bananas around so I need to try this.
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Emily @ Life on Food — Reply
I have never had banana cream pie. Probably because it doesn’t have chocolate. Your photos look amazing. This is one good old fashion pie.
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
You could drizzle chocolate on this one:)
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Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar — Reply
Banana cream pie is the best! Love this recipe!
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