Perfect Homemade Banana Cream Pie Recipe

The Dreamiest Homemade Banana Cream Pie Recipe Ever Made

Crafting a delectable banana cream pie at home sparks pure culinary joy for anyone seeking comfort desserts.

Sweet memories bloom from childhood kitchens with each creamy slice.

Ripe bananas nestled between flaky pastry create magic on dinner plates.

Smooth custard layers promise indulgent moments of pure bliss.

Silky textures and rich flavors dance together in perfect harmony.

Delightful ingredients wait to become something extraordinary in your kitchen.

You will absolutely love how simple yet spectacular this classic dessert becomes with minimal effort.

Homemade Banana Cream Pie Everyone Will Love

  • Master Quick Comfort Dessert: Dive into a delightful banana cream pie that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, dreamy treat perfect for satisfying sweet cravings in minutes.
  • Impress Without Stress: Create a restaurant-quality dessert that looks professionally made but requires minimal baking skills, making it ideal for home cooks of all experience levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Classic: Bring a nostalgic, crowd-favorite dessert to family gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations that guarantees smiles and second helpings from everyone.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize the pie with optional toppings like chocolate shavings, toasted nuts, or extra whipped cream to match your taste preferences and make it uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Homemade Banana Cream Pie

Pie Crust:
  • Graham Cracker Crust: A sweet and crunchy base that provides a delightful texture for the pie.
Filling Base:
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth custard.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the pudding and gives it a silky consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the custard.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Creates the creamy base for the pudding.
  • Egg Yolks: Contribute to the rich and smooth texture of the custard.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a velvety pudding.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, sweet flavor to the custard.
Fruit Layer:
  • Bananas: Fresh slices that add natural sweetness and fruity flavor to the pie.
Topping (Optional):
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a light and fluffy topping that complements the creamy pie.

How to Prepare Homemade Banana Cream Pie

How to Prepare Homemade Banana Cream Pie

Step 1: Craft A Golden Pie Crust

Preheat your oven and prepare a pie dish. Roll out the pie dough and gently press it into the dish, creating beautiful crimped edges.

Bake the crust until it transforms into a gorgeous golden-brown color. Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack, allowing it to set and become crisp.

Step 2: Create A Silky Custard Base

In a medium saucepan, whisk together:
  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt

Slowly pour in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking until it thickens and becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Blend In Creamy Egg Yolks

Carefully temper the egg yolks by slowly adding a small amount of the hot milk mixture while whisking vigorously. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.

Pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan and continue cooking until the custard becomes thick and luxurious.

Step 4: Enhance With Rich Flavors

Remove the custard from heat and stir in:
  • Butter
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until the butter melts completely and the custard becomes incredibly smooth and shiny.

Allow the custard to cool slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.

Step 5: Layer With Fresh Bananas

Slice ripe bananas into even rounds.

Arrange the banana slices in a beautiful, overlapping pattern across the cooled pie crust, creating a delicious fruity foundation.

Step 6: Pour And Spread Custard

Gently pour the slightly cooled custard over the banana layers.

Use a spatula to spread the custard evenly, ensuring it covers all the banana slices and fills the crust completely.

Step 7: Chill And Set

Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or overnight.

This allows the custard to set completely and the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 8: Finish With Whipped Cream

Just before serving, top the pie with fluffy whipped cream.

Use a piping bag for elegant swirls or simply spread it smoothly across the surface. For an extra touch, sprinkle with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or chocolate shavings.

Pro Tips for Homemade Banana Cream Pie

  • Ensure pie crust is fully golden brown before removing from oven to guarantee a crisp, flaky texture that supports the creamy filling.
  • Use ripe but firm bananas for optimal flavor and prevent browning by arranging them just before adding custard.
  • Cool custard slightly before pouring over bananas to prevent fruit from becoming mushy or discolored.
  • Create silky smooth custard by whisking constantly and tempering egg yolks slowly to avoid scrambling.
  • Chill pie for minimum 4 hours to allow filling to set completely and develop rich, creamy consistency.

Variations to Try With Homemade Banana Cream Pie

  • Vegan Banana Cream Delight: Replace milk with coconut milk, use cornstarch-thickened almond milk custard, swap egg yolks for silken tofu, and top with coconut whipped cream.
  • Gluten-Free Banana Cream Classic: Use almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crust, substitute regular flour with cornstarch for thickening, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Chocolate Banana Cream Fusion: Add cocoa powder to the custard, sprinkle chocolate shavings between banana layers, and garnish with dark chocolate drizzle for extra richness.
  • Low-Sugar Banana Cream Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, incorporate Greek yogurt for creaminess, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.

Serving Ideas for Homemade Banana Cream Pie

  • Breakfast Bliss: Slice leftover pie and pair with a hot cup of coffee for a decadent morning treat that starts your day with sweetness.
  • Dessert Party Platter: Cut pie into smaller squares and arrange on a decorative tray with fresh mint leaves for an elegant buffet-style presentation.
  • Tropical Twist: Garnish each slice with toasted coconut flakes and a drizzle of caramel sauce to enhance the banana flavor and add extra texture.
  • Picnic Perfect: Pack individual pie slices in mason jars for a portable and charming outdoor dessert that travels well and looks adorable.

Storage Tips for Homemade Banana Cream Pie

  • Store leftover banana cream pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out or absorbing other food odors.
  • Keep the whipped cream topping separate and add just before serving to maintain its texture and freshness.
  • Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power, or let the pie sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the custard.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent the banana slices from turning brown?

Toss banana slices with a little lemon juice before placing them in the pie crust to prevent browning and maintain their fresh appearance.

  • Can I use instant pudding mix instead of making custard from scratch?

While instant pudding is quicker, homemade custard provides a richer, more authentic flavor and smoother texture that significantly improves the pie’s overall taste.

  • What type of bananas work best for this recipe?

Ripe, firm bananas like Cavendish are ideal because they hold their shape well and provide the perfect balance of sweetness and texture for the pie.

  • How can I tell if my custard is cooked properly?

The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it, ensuring a thick and creamy consistency.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Perfect Homemade Banana Cream Pie Recipe

Perfect Homemade Banana Cream Pie Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Irresistible homemade banana cream pie delights dessert enthusiasts with its creamy layers of pure indulgence. Silky custard, ripe bananas, and flaky crust combine to create a memorable sweet experience you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
  • 45 bananas
  • 2 cups whole milk (473 milliliters)
  • 4 egg yolks

Filling Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup sugar (150 grams)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (30 grams)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:

  • Whipped cream (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Craft a flaky pie crust and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden, then allow to cool completely at room temperature.
  2. Create a silky custard base by whisking sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan, then gradually incorporate milk while stirring continuously over medium heat until mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
  3. Carefully temper egg yolks by slowly introducing hot milk mixture, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling, then return tempered eggs to the saucepan and cook for additional 2-3 minutes until pudding reaches a smooth, velvety consistency.
  4. Remove custard from heat and fold in butter and vanilla extract, creating a rich, fragrant filling. Allow mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.
  5. Layer fresh banana slices evenly across the bottom of the cooled pie crust, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
  6. Gently pour the slightly cooled custard over banana layer, using a spatula to spread evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
  7. Refrigerate pie for 4-6 hours until custard sets completely and filling becomes firm and stable.
  8. Just before serving, crown the pie with fluffy whipped cream, creating elegant peaks and swirls for a classic finishing touch.

Notes

  • Pre-bake the pie crust until it turns a rich golden brown for a crisp, sturdy base that won’t get soggy from the creamy filling.
  • Whisk milk into dry ingredients gradually to prevent lumps and ensure a silky-smooth pudding consistency.
  • Layer banana slices evenly across the bottom of the crust to create a uniform flavor in every bite.
  • Allow the pie to set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, which helps the custard firm up and intensifies the flavors.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star