Name: Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 4 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 1/2 cups whole milk; 4 large egg yolks; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 ripe bananas (sliced); 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you’re craving a slice of nostalgia, Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is just what you need. This classic dessert combines buttery pie crust, velvety homemade vanilla custard, and layers of perfectly ripe banana for a treat that’s as comforting as grandma’s kitchen. A crown of fluffy whipped cream pulls everything together, making every bite pure, creamy bliss. It’s timeless, beautiful, and simple enough for both beginners and seasoned bakers—trust me, you’re going to fall in love with every luscious forkful!

Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is how a handful of humble ingredients come together for a dessert that melts hearts at every gathering. Every element has a special job, whether it’s adding richness, sweetness, or a silky texture, so don’t skip or swap unless you’re truly in a pinch!

Pre-baked 9-inch pie crust: The foundation of your pie—homemade or store-bought—gives the perfect flaky base and holds the creamy filling.
Granulated sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness, balancing the richness of the custard and the tartness of the bananas.
Cornstarch: This is the magic that thickens your custard, ensuring it sets up beautifully when chilled.
Salt: Only a pinch, but it enhances all the other flavors and keeps the custard from tasting flat.
Whole milk: Full-fat milk gives the custard its silky and luxurious texture—don’t substitute for best results.
Egg yolks: These add richness and help bind the custard for that classic, creamy pie experience.
Unsalted butter: Stirred in at the end, it adds depth and a luscious mouthfeel.
Vanilla extract: The cornerstone of any good custard, it lends warm, sweet notes throughout.
Ripe bananas: The star of the show! Choose bananas with lots of freckles for the best flavor and sweetness.
Heavy whipping cream: This whips up into the dreamy topping every Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie deserves.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream without making it grainy; a must for perfect texture.
Extra vanilla extract: For the whipped cream, rounding out all those bakery-fresh flavors.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Step 1: Mix and Cook the Custard Base

Grab a medium saucepan and whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. This step ensures there won’t be any pesky lumps later. Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking until everything’s smooth. Pop it over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly—this is when the magic starts! After about 6–8 minutes, the mixture will thicken up and begin to bubble softly. That’s how you know the base is ready for its next starring ingredient.

Step 2: Temper the Egg Yolks

Meanwhile, lightly beat your egg yolks in a separate bowl. This step is all about care: slowly drizzle in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture, whisking the yolks constantly. This little dance helps raise the temperature of the eggs so they don’t scramble. Once you’ve mixed in the milk, pour everything back into the saucepan and keep stirring for another 2–3 minutes. You should see the custard turn thick and glossy—sheer perfection!

Step 3: Finish the Custard

Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract. The butter adds richness while the vanilla brings all those familiar, cozy flavors. Let the custard cool for about 10 minutes, just enough that it won’t wilt your bananas but will still settle beautifully into your pie crust.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

Lay out your cooled, pre-baked pie crust and cover the base with an even layer of sliced ripe bananas. Pour your warm custard over the top, coaxing it into every nook with a spatula. Smooth the surface and don’t forget this pro tip: press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the custard to prevent it from forming a skin as it chills.

Step 5: Chill and Top with Whipped Cream

Refrigerate the pie for at least four hours—yes, patience is a virtue! Once fully chilled and set, whip together the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream across the pie. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with extra banana slices or a shower of crushed vanilla wafers for that true bakery finish. Your Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is now ready to steal the spotlight!

How to Serve Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Garnishes

If you’re like me, the best part of serving Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is dressing it up! Try a cloud of freshly whipped cream, extra banana slices right up top, or a sprinkling of crushed vanilla wafers for some sweet crunch. Even a light dusting of shaved chocolate can take your presentation from delightful to dazzling. Remember, garnishing is not just about looks—it adds those special finishing flavors and textures that make everyone want seconds.

Side Dishes

Banana cream pie shines on its own, but it also plays nicely with a few well-chosen companions. For something light and contrasting, offer bowls of fresh berries or a small scoop of tart lemon sorbet. If coffee is your thing, a hot cup alongside a chilled slice is unbeatable. Planning a full dessert spread? Serve alongside a handful of crisp butter cookies or a tangy fruit salad to balance the pie’s creamy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Sometimes, it’s all in the presentation. Cut the Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie into elegant slices and serve on vintage plates for that retro feel. Or, for parties, try assembling mini pies in jar or parfait glasses—layer crust, banana, custard, and whipped cream in clear jars for easy, mess-free servings that look as good as they taste. Even simple cupcake liners pressed into a muffin tin can make adorable single-serve pies!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie (lucky you!), cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. It’ll keep its flavor and texture best for up to 2 days. After that, the crust may soften a bit and the bananas could brown, but the taste will still be dreamy.

Freezing

While you can technically freeze banana cream pie, I recommend it only if you must—the filling can become watery as it thaws, and the fresh bananas may discolor. If you do freeze, wrap tightly and skip the whipped cream topping until ready to serve. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add freshly whipped cream just before enjoying.

Reheating

Good news: Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie is meant to be served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary. If you forget to refrigerate it and worry about texture, pop it back in the fridge—the custard will firm up again. If you want to bring out extra flavor notes (like in the crust), let the pie sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Absolutely! A quality store-bought, pre-baked crust works wonderfully and will save you time if you’re not up for homemade crust. Just make sure it fits a 9-inch pie plate for best results.

What’s the best way to prevent bananas from browning?

To keep your bananas looking and tasting fresh, always use fully ripe but not overly soft bananas. Layer the warm custard on top of the sliced bananas as soon as possible to minimize exposure to air, which helps prevent browning.

Can I make Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie ahead?

Definitely! In fact, making it a day in advance gives the flavors time to meld and ensures the custard sets beautifully. For the freshest look, wait to whip and apply the cream topping until just before serving.

How do I get smooth, lump-free custard?

Whisk your cornstarch and sugar together thoroughly before adding the milk, and never stop stirring while cooking. If you run into lumps, strain the custard through a fine sieve before pouring over the bananas.

Can I add extra bananas for more flavor?

Of course! Layer extra banana slices on the crust, and even sneak a few onto the top just below the whipped cream. It intensifies both the creamy texture and sweet banana flavor in every bite.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to whip up an Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie for your next gathering—or honestly, just because! There’s nothing quite like the comfort of cool custard, ripe bananas, and dreamy whipped cream coming together in one nostalgic slice. Give it a try, share it with your favorite people, and watch how quickly new memories (and cravings) are made.

Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the nostalgic charm of this Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie, a classic dessert that features a luscious custard filling layered with fresh bananas atop a flaky pie crust, all crowned with a billowy cloud of whipped cream. It’s a slice of heaven in every bite!

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

For the filling:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For assembly:

3 ripe bananas (sliced)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 6–8 minutes.
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper. Then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Let the custard cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
Arrange sliced bananas evenly in the bottom of the pre-baked pie crust. Pour the warm custard over the bananas, smoothing the top. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully chilled and set.
Before serving, whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe over the pie and garnish with extra banana slices or crushed vanilla wafers, if desired.