Fantastic Banana Cream Pie With Banana Graham Crust

Ingredients

CRUST

• 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup mashed banana
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

FILLING

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups full-fat milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (optional but good to add in)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon banana extract (optional)
• 4 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into about 1/4-inch slices (could use 5 small bananas)

Directions

1. 1

   To make the crust: set oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   For the crust; in a bowl stir together the cracker crumbs, sugar and mashed banana.

3. 3

   Add in the melted butter and stir to moisten.

4. 4

   Press into bottom and up sides of a deep-dish 10-inch glass pie dish.

5. 5

   Refrigerate for about 40 minutes until firm.

6. 6

   Remove from the fridge and bake for about 15 minutes; cool completely.

7. 7

   For the filling: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan whisk together cornstarch, sugar and salt to blend.

8. 8

   Whisk in the whipping cream and whole full-fat milk, then egg yolks.

9. 9

   Scrape the vanilla bean seeds and then add them in with the whole bean (if using).

10. 10

    Bring to medium-high heat and whisk until the custard thickens and simmers (about 6 minutes).

11. 11

    Remove from heat. Whisk in butter, vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon banana extract (if using).

12. 12

    Transfer the cooked thickened custard to a bowl; cool completely for about 1 hour, stirring or whisking occasionally.

13. 13

    When ready to fill the pie crust, spread 1 cup of the custard over the bottom of prepared crust.

14. 14

    Top with half of the bananas (about 2-1/2 bananas).

15. 15

    Then top with the remaining custard covering the bananas totally.

16. 16

    Repeat layering with remaining bananas and then remaining custard on the top.

17. 17

    Chill for a minimum of 8 hours (overnight is even better), or until the filling is completely set.

18. 18

    Cut pie into wedges and top with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.