This Banana Cream Pie brings together a buttery graham cracker crust, silky banana custard, fresh banana slices, and fluffy whipped cream. Sweet, creamy, and always a crowd-pleaser.

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Let me tell you something—Banana Cream Pie was my grandpa’s absolute favorite dessert. I’m talking about the kind of love that had him sneaking an extra slice before dinner was even cleared. Growing up, I remember family gatherings where this pie sat front and center on the table, almost like it had its own spotlight. My grandma made it the old-school way, with a flaky crust and enough whipped cream to make you question if there was even pie under there.

But here’s where I come in. While I adored grandma’s version, I always found the crust kind of… meh. (Don’t tell her.) I wanted something with more texture, more crunch—more oomph. So, I swapped the traditional pastry crust for a buttery graham cracker one, threw in some extra creamy custard, and gave it a modern twist.

The result? It’s still got that classic, old-school charm, but with a little more bite and a lot more creaminess. And yep, it still disappears just as fast at family gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Cream Pie Recipe?

This isn’t just another pie—it’s the kind of dessert that’ll have people hovering around the fridge for leftovers. Here’s why:

• Creamy, crunchy, dreamy. It’s all about layers—crispy crust, silky custard, soft bananas, and fluffy whipped cream.
• Simple, honest ingredients. No weird fillers or store-bought shortcuts.
• Make it ahead. It needs chill time, so it’s perfect for prepping in advance.
• Total crowd-pleaser. Banana haters? I haven’t met one who can resist this.
• It’s endlessly customizable. Feeling fancy? Drizzle caramel on top. Want some crunch? Throw on some toasted nuts.

Basically, it’s like that comfy sweater you never want to take off—only, you know, edible.

Ingredient Notes:

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• Graham Cracker Crumbs (1 ½ cups): The classic—because who doesn’t love that sweet, buttery crunch?
• Melted Butter (6 tbsp): To hold it all together and make it gloriously rich.
• Sugar (⅓ cup): Sweetens it up and gives it that perfect golden finish.

For the Banana Custard Filling:

• Bananas (2, sliced): Go for ripe but firm. Bruised bananas? Not today.
• 2% Milk (1 ¼ cups): Keeps it light but creamy.
• Heavy Whipping Cream (1 cup): Adds that luscious, dreamy texture.
• Sugar (⅔ cup): Because life’s too short for bland custard.
• Salt (⅛ tsp): A pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Cornstarch (¼ cup): To get that perfect, pudding-like thickness.
• Egg Yolks (4, room temp): For that rich, velvety custard texture.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Because banana and vanilla? Best friends.
• Unsalted Butter (2 tbsp): Adds a glossy finish to the custard.

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• Heavy Whipping Cream (1 cup): Homemade whipped cream makes all the difference.
• Powdered Sugar (1 ½ tbsp): Adds sweetness without making it grainy.
• Vanilla Extract (½ tsp): For that extra flavor boost.
• Bananas & Graham Cracker Crumbs (for garnish): Pretty and tasty.

Pro Tip: If your bananas are getting too ripe, use them for banana bread. This pie loves a firmer banana for that perfect slice.

How To Make Banana Cream Pie?

Ready to dive in? It’s easier than it looks, and the payoff? So worth it.

Step 1. Make That Perfect Graham Cracker Crust

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

In a bowl, stir together 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons melted butter, and ⅓ cup sugar until the mixture feels like wet sand.

Press it into a 9-inch pie dish, packing it firmly along the bottom and up the sides. Don’t be shy—use the bottom of a measuring cup to get it nice and compact.

Bake for 7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let it cool before moving on.

Step 2. Whip Up the Creamy Banana Custard

In a saucepan, combine 1¼ cups 2% milk, 1 cup heavy cream, ⅔ cup sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ¼ cup cornstarch. Heat over medium, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles—about 5-7 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks. Slowly add about ½ cup of the hot milk mixture to the yolks, whisking the whole time. (This keeps the eggs from scrambling. Nobody wants scrambled eggs in their pie.)

Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook for another 2 minutes until thick and pudding-like.

Remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons butter until smooth and glossy.

Step 3. Assemble the Pie

Lay sliced bananas over the cooled crust. Pour the warm custard over the bananas and smooth the top with a spatula.

Press plastic wrap directly onto the custard’s surface to avoid that weird skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).

Step 4. Make the Whipped Cream Topping

Chill your mixing bowl and beaters for 20 minutes—this makes the whipped cream come together faster.

Beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 1½ tablespoons powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

Dollop or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled pie. Garnish with extra banana slices and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs. It’s all about that finishing touch.

Step 5. Slice & Enjoy

Grab a fork and dig in. Pro tip? A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce takes this pie from amazing to mind-blowing.

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Store covered for up to 3 days. The bananas might brown a bit, but the pie? Still delish.
• Freezer: Yep, you can freeze it (just hold off on the whipped cream). Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
• Leftover Whipped Cream: Dollop it on pancakes, coffee, or straight-up spoon it. No judgment.

Variations and Substitutions:

Feeling creative? Go for it:

• Chocolate Lovers: Add a layer of chocolate ganache under the custard.
• Tropical Twist: Toss in some pineapple chunks or coconut flakes.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted almonds or pecans on top.
• Crust Swap: Nilla wafers or crushed Oreos make fun alternatives.
• Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk and coconut cream—it’s shockingly good.

What to Serve with Banana Cream Pie?

While it’s perfection on its own, here’s how to level up:

• Espresso or Iced Coffee: That bitter kick balances the sweetness.
• Caramel Drizzle: Because caramel + bananas = a total love story.
• Dark Chocolate Shavings: Adds a hint of bitter richness.
• Fresh Berries: A pop of tartness cuts through the creaminess.
• Sweet Tea: Southern-style pie deserves a Southern-style drink.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. It actually tastes better after chilling overnight. Just hold off on adding the whipped cream until you’re ready to serve.

How do I keep the bananas from turning brown?
A light brush of lemon juice works wonders. But honestly, since they’re under the custard, they stay fresh longer than you’d think.

Can I use instant pudding instead of making custard?
You could. But honestly, homemade custard takes this pie from “meh” to “wow.” Plus, you get full bragging rights.

There you have it—Banana Cream Pie that’s creamy, dreamy, and totally irresistible. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people linger around the kitchen hoping for a second slice.

Give it a try and let me know—did you stick to the classic or get wild with the toppings? I love hearing how you make it your own!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

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Banana Cream Pie

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Experience an adventure, with our Banana Cream Pie, a work of art in the world of desserts. Every layer has its own story to tell; the crisp graham cracker crust evokes a feeling while the smooth custard infused with bananas captures the essence of orchards basking in sunlight. Crowned with a fluffy cloud of whipped cream. This pie is more than a sweet treat; it embodies the perfect harmony between tradition and innovation ensuring pure bliss, with each delectable bite.

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8 Servings

Ingredients

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Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs reserve 1 1/2 tbsp
• 6 tbsp melted butter
• 1/3 c sugar

Filling:

• 2 bananas sliced
• 1 1/4 c 2% milk
• 1 c heavy whipping cream
• 2/3 c sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 c cornstarch
• 4 large egg yolks room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

Whipped Topping:

• 1 c heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 tbsp. powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Bananas for garnish

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Instructions

 

Graham Cracker Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar.
3. Press the mixture into a pie dish that's 9 inches, in size.
4. Bake it for around 7 minutes then let it cool down. Once cooled line the crust with banana slices.

Filling:

1. In a saucepan combine milk, cream, sugar, salt and cornstarch. Heat the mixture until it starts bubbling.
2. In a bowl whisk the egg yolks well. Gradually add about half a cup of the hot milk mixture to the yolks while stirring continuously. Then pour this combined mixture back into the saucepan.
3. Cook everything until it thickens nicely while stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and butter until well incorporated.
5. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes while stirring occasionally before pouring it over the crust with banana slices.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Whipped Topping:

1. Chill a bowl and beaters in your refrigerator for 20 minutes beforehand.
2. Whisk together whipping cream along with sugar and vanilla extract until you see stiff peaks forming.
3. Pipe this whipped topping over your chilled pie as desired. Garnish, with banana slices and some reserved crumbs if you like.

Notes

Craving a taste of our Banana Cream Pie. Looking for a gluten-free option? Don't worry we've got you covered! Instead of using graham crackers you can choose a gluten-free variety that is easily found in most stores. Just make sure to read the labels to avoid any sources of gluten. Another tasty alternative is to create a crust by combining ground nuts (such as almonds or pecans) with melted butter giving you a gluten-free irresistibly crispy option.

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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