Best Banana Cream Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
Introduction
Banana cream pie is one of the most delicious and easy-to-make desserts that you can enjoy with your family and friends. It is a classic American pie that is perfect for any occasion. The pie consists of a graham cracker crust, creamy banana filling, and whipped cream topping. In this article, we will show you how to make the best banana cream pie with a graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
For the crust, you will need:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the filling, you will need:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
For the topping, you will need:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making the best banana cream pie with a graham cracker crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix well.
- Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then let it cool completely.
- In a saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and starts to boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of the hot milk mixture.
- Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
- Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
- Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the graham cracker crust.
- Pour the filling over the bananas and smooth the top.
- Cover the pie with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Spoon the whipped cream over the filling.
- Garnish with additional sliced bananas, if desired.
- Refrigerate the pie until ready to serve.
Variations
If you want to add a twist to your banana cream pie, here are some variations that you can try:
- Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the filling and sprinkle chocolate shavings on top.
- Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie - Mix 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter into the filling and top with chopped peanuts.
- Banana Cream Pie with Nilla Wafers - Use crushed Nilla Wafers instead of graham cracker crumbs for the crust.
Conclusion
The best banana cream pie with a graham cracker crust is a classic dessert that everyone will love. With the right ingredients and instructions, you can easily make this delicious pie at home. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want a sweet treat, this pie is sure to satisfy your craving. Try out the variations to add your own personal touch to the recipe. Enjoy!