Description
A cherished, time-honored dessert featuring rich homemade vanilla custard, fresh sliced bananas, and a buttery vanilla wafer crumb crust. Tested for the perfect silky texture and crisp finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Vanilla Wafer Crust:
- 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
- For the Homemade Vanilla Custard:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For the Assembly:
- 3 ripe but firm bananas
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix vanilla wafer crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until resembling wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Let cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
- In a saucepan, whisk milk and cornstarch until smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it boils and thickens. Keep whisking for one minute after boiling to cook out the cornstarch flavor.
- Remove from heat. Slowly temper the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly.
- Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan. Return to low heat and whisk for 2 more minutes until thick and glossy.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla extract.
- Pour hot custard into the cooled crust. Let sit for 10 minutes, then place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set.
- Slice bananas into 1/4-inch rounds and toss with lemon juice.
- Remove plastic wrap from custard. Arrange banana slices in an overlapping layer over the custard.
Notes
Ensure cornstarch is fresh for proper thickening. Use bananas that are yellow with just a few brown spots for best texture. Do not skip placing plastic wrap directly on the custard surface to prevent a skin from forming. The pie is best served chilled and keeps well for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American Classic
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: banana cream pie, homemade custard, vanilla wafer crust, classic dessert, easy banana pie, fresh banana dessert