Banana Cream Pie Recipe

See Also: Desserts · Pies and Tarts

Banana Cream Pie

for the crust:
1 cup sifted or lifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 cup real butter, chilled
1/4 cup very cold water

for the banana cream filling:
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/3 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups milk (your choice, regular, 1%, 2%, or non-fat)
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
3-4 large ripe, but firm, bananas
lightly sweetened whipped cream, optional, of course!

With the steel chopping blade in place in the food processor, blend the flour and the salt. Add the butter which has been cut into chunks and process just until the butter is the size of your thumb nail. Add the water and process just until the mixture wants to form a ball. Remove it and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about 10 minutes, while you flour a pastry cloth and rolling pin cover. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the crust into a round circle about to fit into the pie dish you are using. Lift the crust into the dish, fitting it in gently and fluting the edges. Pierce the crust with a fork in many places. Gently cover the crust with a piece of foil, and then fill the bottom with pie weights or beans. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are turning brown. Carefully remove the foil and the beans, and continue to bake the crust until the inside has browned, about 3-5 minutes more. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.



In batter bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, and milk. Whisk the egg yolks well, and blend into the milk mixture. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Whisk well. Microwave another 3 minutes. Whisk. Microwave another 2-4 minutes, or until mixture has thickened. Whisk in the butter and vanilla and beat it really good. Cover the mixture with a piece of Stretch-Tite, directly on the surface of the custard and allow it to stand about 10-15 minutes. Then remove the plastic and whisk well. Slice a banana into the prepared crust, and then pour half of the custard over the bananas. Slice over another banana, and then add the remaining custard. Top with another layer of banana. Allow to cool completely, and then garnish with whipped cream. Chocolate covered banana slices are a nice garnish!

Recipe created 1995-02-27.