Best Banana Cream Pie Recipe From Scratch
The Secret to the Perfect Banana Cream Pie
There's nothing quite like a delicious banana cream pie. The combination of a flaky crust, creamy custard, and fresh bananas make it the perfect dessert for any occasion. And the best part? You can make it from scratch in your own kitchen! With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a dessert that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients You'll Need
To make the best banana cream pie from scratch, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 9-inch pie crust, baked and cooled
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
How to Make the Best Banana Cream Pie from Scratch
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it's time to start baking! Follow these simple steps:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Slowly pour in about half of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture and whisk well.
- Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Layer the sliced bananas in the bottom of the baked pie crust. Pour the custard over the bananas, spreading it evenly. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or until set.
- Once the pie is set, remove from the refrigerator and top with whipped cream if desired. Serve chilled.
Tips for Making the Best Banana Cream Pie from Scratch
Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect banana cream pie:
- Make sure your custard is thick enough before pouring it into the pie crust. If it's too thin, it won't set properly.
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor. Overripe bananas will be too mushy, and underripe bananas won't be as sweet.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming while it chills in the refrigerator.
- Top with whipped cream just before serving to prevent it from melting and losing its shape.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make the best banana cream pie from scratch, you can impress your family and friends with this delicious dessert. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy bakery. So why not give it a try today?