Food and Recipes Recipes Banana Cream Pie 5.0 (1) 1 Review This banana cream pie sits on a vanilla wafer crust. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 5, 2023 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Active Time: 22 mins Total Time: 5 hrs 34 mins Servings: 8 to 10 Jump to recipe This sinfully sweet banana cream pie combines two of our favorite Southern desserts: classic cream pie and banana pudding. Does it get any better? We think not. Of course, that is until you add the homemade vanilla wafer piecrust. Now we're talking. Banana Cream Pie is a decadent dessert fit for a celebratory occasion like a birthday party, holiday gathering, or church potluck. You won't be able to resist a second serving. Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Don't let the recipe time scare you away. It only calls for 22 minutes of hands-on time, which gives you extra time to relax before the big event. And, some recipes are worth a bit of additional effort. Complete with fresh bananas and crisp vanilla wafers, this pie will leave you wanting more. You may prefer a graham cracker crust, but it's good any way you slice it! Give this recipe a try, and let us know what you think in the reviews. Ingredients Vanilla Wafer Piecrust 54 vanilla wafers 2 tablespoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon table salt 1/4 cup butter, melted Banana Cream Pie 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup cornstarch 3 cups half-and-half 3 large eggs 5 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 large ripe bananas Whipped cream Directions Make Vanilla Wafer Piecrust: Preheat over to 350°F. Process cookies in a food processor 30 seconds to measure 1 1/2 cups fine crumbs. Add sugar and salt; pulse 3 times. With processor running, pour butter through food chute; process until blended. Press crumb mixture into a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate. Bake Piecrust: Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from over to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes). Make Banana Cream Pie Filling: Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half eggs. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat. Add butter, vanilla, and salt, stirring until butter melts. Place pan in ice water; whisk custard occasionally until cool. Layer bananas and custard: Cut bananas into ¼-inch slices; arrange slices over bottom of cooled curst. Spoon custard over bananas. Place heavy-duty plastic wrap directly on warm custard (to prevent a film from forming); chill 4 hours or until set. (Filling with thicken as it chills.) Top with Whipped Cream. Whip Tip Be sure to whip the cream until just stiff before topping the pie so that it will slice beautifully. Rate it Print