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{My First} Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust

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Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie | Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

For as long as I can remember by husband has been raving about banana cream pie. Along with chocolate cream they are his favorite pies, and half a slice of each put together side-by-side is his favorite way of eating them. Though I’m sure I saw it when I lived in the states, I can’t think of a single time where I’ve eaten either. He described banana cream pie to me as being vanilla pudding with sliced bananas inside a graham cracker crust. Frankly it sounded kind of weird to me — or maybe it’s because I’ve never been a big fan of pudding.

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie| Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

We’ve yet to come across a cream pie like that in Europe, and I the untalented baker never entertained the idea of making one for him. That is until last week when I got it into my head that I would surprise him with one of his favorite desserts. He, and you, already know about my baking problems, so to lessen the torture of having to endure another failed attempt I kept my plans secret and did as much research as possible.

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie| Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

The night before preparing it I revealed my banana cream pie plans to him. “I’m making you a special dessert, banana cream pie.”

With an excited look and smile he looked at me and said, “Really? Wow, why?”

“Because I know it’s your favorite”, I said to him. By now my husband had a few more seconds to think and the look on his face went from excitement to trepidation. I think he had traumatic flash-backs of all my failed baking and dessert attempts he’s had to endure. The poor man, hehe! I reassured him by saying I would be following a Martha Stewart recipe, and promised not to lighten it up by leaving out some of the required sugar or butter. I don’t think he bought it though.

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie | Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

Recipe Notes:
After much research Martha Stewart’s recipe was the one that most appealed to me and one easy enough for me to manage. As promised I followed her recipe to the best of my ability — no sugar was left out. But I did have to make a change to the pie shell, instead of making her pate brisee I made a chocolate cookie crust. Also I added a little bit of vanilla extract to the pudding because many other recipes called for it, and it sounded good to me. Her recipe also called for an elaborate whipped cream topping but I decided to skip it and instead we used a commercial brand (don’t judge) and sprayed a few dollops to each sliced we served ourselves.

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Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust
 
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A fantastic pie that is creamy, sweet, with touches of banana and hints of vanilla. Adapted from Martha Stewart's Banana Cream Pie recipe. http://www.marthastewart.com/331723/banana-cream-pie
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert, Pie, Cream Pie, Pudding
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust*
  • 198 gm or 7 oz chocolate flavoured digestive crackers
  • 3-4 tbsp melted unsalted butter
Pudding Ingredients:
  • 1 large whole egg plus 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 4 medium-ripe bananas**
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract (added by me, optional)
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Chocolate Crust Instructions:
  1. Place crackers in a large plastic bag, with a rolling pin crush into fine crumbs. Place into a large bowl, slowly add a little bit of the melted butter while stirring and continue until they begin sticking together. Using your fingers push/shape into pie dish, then cover and leave in refrigerator until ready to use.
Pudding Instructions:
  1. Prepare an ice bath; set aside. In a bowl, lightly whisk egg and egg yolks; set aside. In a saucepan, whisk together milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Bring to a simmer (do not boil), and cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Whisk a quarter of hot-milk mixture into egg yolks; whisk in remaining milk mixture. Strain into a clean saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until custard is thick and bubbles appear in center, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface to prevent a skin from forming. Set in ice bath until completely chilled, 30 to 35 minutes. (Filling can be kept in refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, up to 1 day.)
  3. Cut 3 or 4 bananas into ¼-inch slices, slightly on the bias. Beginning at the edge of the piecrust, arrange the slices in slightly overlapping rows. Cover with custard, using an offset spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Refrigerate pie, loosely covered with plastic wrap, for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
Notes
*If you'd like to make Martha's pie shell you'll find the recipe here: Pate Brisee http://www.marthastewart.com/948287/pate-brisee
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Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie | Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

As we waited for the pie to set I started getting nervous about whether it would be to my husband’s liking. The fact that it’s his favorite and my history with desserts really put the pressure on. When the pie was ready I served us each a slice and anxiously awaited his reaction. With a huge surprised look and a mouthful he exclaimed, “Mmmmm, this is good!” Phew, was I relieved! After taking my first bite I finally realised why this pie was his favorite. It tasted, creamy, sweet, with touches of banana and hints of vanilla — it was fantastic! The pudding filling is so delicious that I can see myself making just that for dessert now and then. Trust me it is worth every stir and minute over the stove.

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie | Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

I have to say that both hubby and I were proud of me for suceeding so well this time, thanks to Ms. Stewart of course. But best of all was that my husband loved it and asked for me to make his favorite pie again soon. (Insert happy dance!)

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust by Spicie Foodie | Made From Martha Stewart's Recipe

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Comments

  1. WOW!! This pie looks so awesome. I loved the use of chocolate flavored digestive biscuit. And that last shot of white rose is just awesome :)

  5. Oh, my gosh, Nancy. How sweet of you to have made this beautiful banana cream pie for your hubs. And really, it’s like you made it for me too! :) This is one of my all-time favorite desserts and I have been meaning to make one for weeks. Wonderful job, Nancy! If I lived closer to you I would have been begging for a piece! :)

  7. Love the light and airy photos. I find that when I put banana in a recipe that there is no need for more sugar. In fact I make a banana tart like this with no sugar. Maybe I, and my family, are getting used to less sugar. Anyway I understand you not wanting to play around with the recipe and congratulations on the success!

    • That’s exactly the look I was going for Suzanne, thank you. I usually don’t bake with this much sugar but I didn’t want to take any chances. Thanks!

  8. I’m doing a happy dance with/for you!
    I am no kind of baker, either. My first attempt was a cake for a Big Sisters event. My Little Sister was helping me and we were following a recipe. I’m sure there was a flaw in the recipe because it never became a cake (way too much liquid compared to dry ingredients). I had to buy a cake on the way to the event!

  12. I love the idea of the chocolate crust- it sounds delicious! My mom’s banana pudding had vanilla wafers for a crust, and it was my dad’s favorite. :)

  14. One of the first recipes I did for the blog was banana cream pie…. my easy fake out version of course, nothing beautiful like yours. But my kids and hubby loved it. Gotta give credit to the banana cream pie… it’s got magical powers. :) Now if I stepped up my game and did a beautiful version like this…my kids and hubby may do handstands. Glad you enjoyed it and now you can make this for your hubby on all his special days. :)

    • I’m sure your recipe was delicious and beautiful Ramona. I think your right about the magical powers of banana cream pie — I didn’t screw it up. Lol! Thanks sweetie.

  15. I love the idea of the chocolate crust! That’s inspired – its flavor sounds wonderful with the banana and vanilla flavors. Such a nice recipe! Congrats on success!

  19. This is one of my hubby’s favorites…and he’d approve of your crust changes, too! I DO think you can bake :)

  22. What a gorgeous banana cream pie! It’s a favorite in our house too. I love the lighting and styling on your photos. Every shot is more beautiful than the next!

  23. congratulations on your pie! i had a lot of fun with fruit pies last summer, but i don’t have much experience with cream pies, although my husband loves them too :) the chocolate crust is inspiration! chocolate banana, yum.

  25. What a nice wife you are!! Banana cream is my husband’s favorite as well, but I’ve only made him one and that was a couple of decades ago. You’ve inspired me to make him another one. Maybe for his birthday. I love the switch to the chocolate crust. What a great idea! The whole recipe sounds fabulous and one definitely worth keeping. Thanks for the research to find the perfect cream pie!

  26. I’ve never tried banana cream pie and after reading this post I feel like I’m missing such a wonderful dessert in my life! I love the chocolate crust (you made it from scratch too!) and individual portion is very nice… I love crust and I get more crust when it’s individual… :) Beautiful pictures Nancy!!!

  29. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you every time you tells us you can’t bake! I am not a fan of puddings either, but I think my kids would inhale your gorgeous banana cream pie. And I love the chocolate crust!

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