There are some desserts that just transport you back to childhood, and for me, that’s always been my grandma’s incredible banana cream pie! I’ve taken her cherished recipe and recreated it into this quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible version, designed for the modern home baker. This delightful take on a classic homemade banana cream pie features a buttery, crisp graham cracker crust, generous layers of perfectly ripe, fresh bananas, a rich and velvety vanilla pudding, and is crowned with a towering swirl of light as a cloud homemade whipped cream.

While I generally shy away from most fruity pies due to their warm, often mushy fillings – a texture that just isn’t my preference – banana cream pie stands apart. Its charm lies in the delightful contrast of textures and temperatures: cool, firm, and freshly sliced bananas nestled between layers of creamy, sweet pudding. It’s a symphony for the palate that feels both indulgent and refreshing, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.

For this recipe, I particularly love using a graham cracker crust instead of a traditional pastry crust. The slightly sweet, crumbly graham crackers provide an exquisite counterpoint to the soft bananas and silky pudding, elevating the overall flavor profile. It’s a match made in dessert heaven, and undoubtedly one of my absolute favorite homemade pies, right alongside my beloved spiced blueberry pie! This recipe isn’t just about recreating a classic; it’s about perfecting it with simplicity and unforgettable taste.

Why You’ll Adore This Easy Banana Cream Pie Recipe

This isn’t just another banana cream pie recipe; it’s an experience designed for ease, indulgence, and pure delight. Here’s why this version will quickly become your go-to:

• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: This easy banana cream pie requires only 10 readily available ingredients. This simplicity means less shopping and more time enjoying your delicious creation, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t need a complicated ingredient list.
• A Masterpiece of Textures: Prepare your taste buds for an adventure! Each bite delivers a luxurious blend of textures: the velvety smoothness of the creamy vanilla pudding, the airy lightness of the whipped cream, the gentle, soft bite of fresh banana slices, all perfectly complemented by the crisp, crumbly crunch of the graham cracker crust. It’s a harmonious combination that’s incredibly satisfying.
• Versatile Homemade Vanilla Pudding: The luscious vanilla pudding used as the base for this pie is a star in its own right. It’s so rich and flavorful, you’ll want to make extra to enjoy on its own or incorporate into other desserts like classic dirt cups or layered parfaits. It’s a foundational recipe that offers endless possibilities.
• Effortless Chilling, Delicious Results: This easy banana cream pie recipe with its delightful graham cracker crust truly shines because the refrigerator handles the majority of the work. After a quick assembly, simply let it chill to perfection. This means minimal active cooking time for you and more time to anticipate the mouthwatering dessert to come!
• A Crowd-Pleaser for Every Occasion: From casual weeknight desserts to festive holiday gatherings, this banana cream pie is always a hit. Its comforting, familiar flavors appeal to all ages, guaranteeing rave reviews and empty plates every single time.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Pie

Crafting the perfect banana cream pie starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential for that irresistible flavor and texture:

• Bananas: The star of the show! This recipe is best with ripe but firm bananas. Avoid overly soft or bruised bananas, as they can become mushy and lose their shape. The key is to have slices that hold their integrity, providing a pleasant texture contrast within the creamy pudding layers.
• Whole Milk: The foundation of our rich and creamy vanilla pudding. Whole milk provides the necessary fat content for a truly luxurious texture and full-bodied flavor, creating a pudding that’s both smooth and satisfying.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetness is essential! Granulated sugar balances the flavors of the bananas and enriches the pudding, ensuring every bite is perfectly delightful without being overly saccharine.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, making the sweet and creamy elements pop. It’s a secret weapon for bringing out the best in your dessert.
• Egg Yolks: Crucial for thickening the pudding and giving it a beautiful, custard-like consistency and rich color. Egg yolks are essential for that classic, velvety mouthfeel and help the pudding set beautifully.
• Cornstarch: Working in conjunction with the egg yolks, cornstarch is absolutely key to thickening your pudding. It ensures the pudding sets firm enough to be sliced cleanly without oozing, creating those distinct, appealing layers.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of high-quality vanilla extract adds depth and warmth to the pudding, enhancing its natural sweetness and providing that comforting, classic dessert flavor.
• Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): Incorporating butter into the warm pudding at the end adds a silky richness and glossy finish. Room temperature butter melts seamlessly, contributing to the pudding’s overall smooth texture and flavor.
• Pie Crust: My absolute favorite for this recipe is a graham cracker crust due to its delightful crunch and complementary flavor. However, feel free to use your preferred crust! A traditional flaky pie dough, a sweet Nilla wafer crust, or even a good quality store-bought pie crust will all work wonderfully and offer different textural experiences.
• Whipped Cream: The perfect crown! Light, airy, and delicately sweet whipped cream adds a cooling, creamy contrast to the richness of the pie. It’s the ideal topping to complete this dessert.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and precise measurements.

Exciting Substitutions & Variations to Try

While this classic banana cream pie is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Don’t be afraid to get creative and personalize your pie with these delicious twists:

• Banoffee Pie Transformation: For a decadent banoffee pie experience, spread a generous layer of luscious dulce de leche over the pie crust before adding the banana and pudding layers. Once chilled and topped with whipped cream, finish it with a sprinkle of delicate chocolate shavings for an extra touch of indulgence.
• Peanut Butter & Banana Bliss: Who can resist the classic combination of bananas and peanut butter? Next time, stir 2 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter directly into your warm vanilla pudding mixture before chilling. For an extra flourish, melt a little more peanut butter and drizzle it over the top of the cooled and assembled banana cream pie. It’s a nutty, creamy dream!
• Chocolate Lover’s Delight: For chocolate enthusiasts, add a layer of chocolate ganache or chocolate pudding beneath the vanilla pudding layer. You could also sprinkle mini chocolate chips or cocoa powder on top of the whipped cream.
• Tropical Twist: Introduce a hint of the tropics by adding a small amount of shredded coconut to your graham cracker crust or sprinkling it over the top of the whipped cream. A dash of rum extract in the pudding could also enhance this flavor profile.
• Spiced Pudding: For a warmer, cozier pie, stir a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into your vanilla pudding while it’s cooking. This subtle addition can add an unexpected depth of flavor.

This recipe has been carefully tested to achieve optimal results. If you decide to replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how your delicious creation turned out in the comments section below! Your feedback helps other home bakers too.

Essential Equipment for Your Baking Success

Gathering the right tools before you begin ensures a smooth and enjoyable baking process. Here’s a list of the key equipment you’ll need to create your perfect banana cream pie:

• Deep Dish Pie Pan: While a regular 9-inch pie plate will certainly work, using a deep dish pie pan allows for even more generous layers of luscious filling, making for a truly impressive and satisfying dessert. The extra depth accommodates more bananas and pudding, giving you a taller, more visually appealing slice.
• Medium Pot: An essential for preparing the homemade vanilla pudding. Choose a pot with a heavy bottom to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching.
• Whisk: You’ll need a good whisk for combining ingredients, especially for ensuring a smooth, lump-free pudding and for tempering the egg yolks.
• Mixing Bowls: A few medium and small mixing bowls will be handy for separating egg yolks, whisking cornstarch, and preparing your crust ingredients if making it from scratch.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for baking, especially for the pudding consistency.
• Rubber Spatula: Great for scraping down the sides of the pot and bowls, ensuring no delicious goodness goes to waste. Also useful for gently spreading the pudding layers.
• Plastic Wrap: Essential for covering the pudding directly to prevent a skin from forming as it cools.

Step 1: Warm the Milk Mixture. In a medium-sized pot, combine the whole milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Place the pot over medium heat and warm the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it’s hot to the touch but not yet boiling. Ensure the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 2: Prepare the Egg Yolk Mixture. In a separate small bowl, vigorously whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until a smooth, uniform paste forms. This ensures there are no lumps when adding to the hot milk.

Step 3: Temper the Egg Yolks. While continuously whisking the egg yolk mixture, slowly pour about ½ cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks. This process, known as tempering, gradually raises the temperature of the egg yolks, preventing them from scrambling. Once tempered, pour the entire yolk mixture back into the pot with the remaining hot milk.

Step 4: Cook the Pudding. Return the pot to medium heat. Continuously stir the mixture with a whisk or spatula until it becomes thick and bubbly, reaching the consistency of a rich pudding. This usually takes several minutes, so be patient and keep stirring to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Flavor and Cool the Pudding. Remove the homemade pudding from the heat. Whisk in the vanilla extract and the softened unsalted butter until the butter is completely melted and thoroughly combined, creating a glossy, smooth pudding. Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming, and allow it to cool completely to room temperature before chilling.

Step 6: Layer and Chill. Once the pudding is completely cool, begin assembling your pie. Arrange a single layer of sliced bananas over the bottom of your pie crust. Then, gently spoon a layer of pudding over the bananas, spreading it evenly. Continue alternating layers of bananas and pudding until your pie dish is full. Chill the assembled pie for at least an hour (or preferably longer) to allow it to set. Serve chilled, optionally topped with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream. Enjoy every irresistible bite!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Banana Cream Pie

Achieving a truly exceptional banana cream pie is all about paying attention to a few key details. These expert tips will help you master this delightful dessert and ensure every slice is pure perfection:

1. Temper with Care: When adding the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks (Step 3), exercise caution and precision. Pour the warm liquid in a slow, steady stream while continuously whisking the egg yolks. This crucial step, known as tempering, gradually raises the temperature of the yolks, preventing them from scrambling and ensuring a silky-smooth pudding. Rushing this step can lead to an unpleasantly lumpy texture.
2. Prevent the “Skin”: Don’t underestimate the importance of covering your pudding with plastic wrap directly on its surface (Step 5). This simple trick prevents a thick, rubbery film from forming as the pudding cools, ensuring a uniformly smooth and appealing texture throughout.
3. Cool Completely for Crispness: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to pie. Ensure both your pie crust and the homemade pudding are completely cooled to room temperature before you begin layering them. Adding warm pudding to a crust can make the crust soggy, diminishing that satisfying crunch. A fully cooled pudding also sets better, making for cleaner slices.
4. Mastering the Layers: When it’s time to layer the pudding over the delicate banana slices, avoid dumping large amounts directly. Instead, add small dollops of pudding evenly across the banana layer, then carefully and gently spread it with a spatula or the back of a spoon. The goal is to just cover the slices without disturbing them too much. With a deep 9-inch pie dish, you typically have enough room for 3 rich pudding layers and 4 generous banana layers, creating a truly impressive cross-section.
5. Whip Your Way to Perfection: For the ultimate topping, make your own homemade whipped cream! Simply combine cold heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar (and a touch of vanilla extract, if desired) and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. The fresh, airy texture and delicate sweetness of homemade whipped cream elevate the pie to another level. If you’re short on time, a good quality store-bought whipped topping is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
6. Choosing the Right Bananas: Select bananas that are ripe (yellow with a few brown spots) but still firm. Overly green bananas lack sweetness, while overly brown bananas can be too soft and watery for slicing and layering.
7. Chill Thoroughly: While the recipe suggests at least an hour, a longer chilling time (3-4 hours or even overnight) is ideal. This allows the pudding to fully set, the flavors to meld, and the pie to be easily sliced and served.

Common Questions About Banana Cream Pie

Storage Tips for Leftover Pie

To keep your banana cream pie fresh and delicious, proper storage is key:

Refrigerator instructions: Store any leftover pie in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s important to note that over time, the bananas will naturally begin to brown due to oxidation, and the crust may become slightly softer. While the aesthetics might change a little, the pie will still taste incredibly delicious!

Freezing is not recommended: Due to the fresh bananas and delicate pudding consistency, banana cream pie generally does not freeze well. The bananas can become mushy and discolored upon thawing, and the pudding texture may separate. For the best experience, enjoy your pie fresh and chilled!

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If you enjoyed this easy banana cream pie, you’re sure to love these other delightful recipes from our collection:

Did you try this irresistible recipe? We’d absolutely love to see your creation! Tag @brokenovenbaking on Instagram & Facebook and don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below! Your feedback truly helps our community of home bakers.

Easy Homemade Banana Cream Pie

Kayla Burton