Banana Cream Pie Recipe Like Grandma's (2024)

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A classic Banana Cream Pie recipe, topped high with homemade meringue is just like the piemy grandma used to make.

Banana Cream Pie Recipe Like Grandma's (1)

There is one thing I’ve discovered as I havelearned to make homemade pie.The more I do it, the more I miss my grandma.

As I was beating the egg whites together for the meringue of this banana cream pie, tears sprung to my eyes .

Grandma was our family pie maker. She made the absolute best pies. She would make dozens of pies for every family gathering. No matter what, she would always cater to everyones favorites. From apple, to pumpkin, to pecan, to my favorite banana cream pie, if there was a pie someone wanted, Grandmawould bring it. I can only imagine how much work went into her epic pie baking days.

I always remember her pulling up to our house on family occasions, with copy paper boxes full of homemade pies. It would take several trips from her car to our house to bring all the pies in.

Grandma pulling up to our house would stop everyone in their tracks. We all couldn’t wait to see how many of our favorite homemade pies she would bring this time. Once the pies were in the house and displayed on their pie plate, it took every ounce of willpower to not take a nibble. Often times, we’d find pieces of meringue picked off the pies with a chorus of “it wasn’t me” when confronted.

Grandma Sumner has been gone for 13 years now, but I can remember her pies like it was yesterday. I think she’d be really proud of me. I wish I would have learned to love making pie sooner. I’d love so much to make my favorite banana cream pie alongside her. Although, I have no doubt she’s right here beside me anyway. With every fluff of meringue, I’m quickly taken back to those times when she was still with us.

This banana cream pie recipe is the one my Grandma Sumner used to make, my mom makes and now I make. It’s a classic recipe from the most used cookbook on my bookshelf…the Better Crocker’s Cookbook. I actually think this was the first cookbook I have ever owned.

The page this recipe is on is full of the recipes Grandma used for her homemade pies. It is so splattered and worn, you can tell it’s a great recipe. Grandma always said, a messy cookbook page is the map to find the absolute best recipes. With this banana cream pie recipe she was especially right.

Above all, there’s a reason this recipe is a staple. Its rich, creamy full of flavor banana pudding pie filling can’t be beat. Add to that the most perfectly fluffy homemade meringue and you have homemade pie perfection.

Banana Cream Pie is my absolute favorite and is a must have for dessert on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think this pie should be come a tradition in your family too! I hope you’ll give it a try. Enjoy!

For tips and and a recipe for perfectly flaky pie crust, visit my video tutorial post.

Making the perfect pie crust has always been the one thing keeping me from making pie. The post linked above will teach you how to easily make a perfectly flaky pie crust. In fact, there’s a special tip that my friend DeLynn taught me that made all the difference. I’ll tell you now, the secret is in the paste. Wonder what I mean? Make sure to check out the video tutorial! It will change how you make pie crust from here on out. For

For this pie recipe you’ll want to blind bake the crust at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, until light brown.

Banana Cream Pie Recipe Like Grandma's (4)

Tips and tricks for making Banana Cream Pie

Fully ripe, sliced bananas make for the best banana flavor. Bananas that aren’t quite ripe don’t have the same full flavor, so choose ripe bananas for this recipe.

Separating egg yolks from the egg whites is a pain. This egg seperator tool makes it such a simple task for high volume recipes like this one.

The biggest challenge with this recipe is remembering to be attentive when cooking the pie filling. Stir the mixture continuously, as milk products have a high tendency to burn easily. The last thing you want is little bits of burnt pudding ruining your banana cream pie.

If you aren’t a fan of meringue, an alternate topping would be fresh whipped cream. If you make this substitute, just skip the meringue steps in the recipe below. I recommend topping the pie with homemade whipped cream right before serving.

Although I love banana cream pie with traditional pie crust, you can easily make graham cracker crust instead.

Finally, if you want to skip the pie for a simple dessert, this Banana Pudding Recipe would be a great alternative.

Banana Cream Pie Recipe Like Grandma's (5)

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Banana Cream Pie Recipe

A classic Banana Cream Pie just like my Grandma Sumner used to make.

Course Dessert

Keyword banana cream pie, dessert, pie, pudding

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 slices

Author Dine & Dish

Ingredients

  • For the pie filling:
  • 1 9- inch pre-baked pie shell follow my instructions here for a perfect pie crust
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups milk
  • 4 egg yolks slightly beaten (reserve the egg whites)
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 large bananas sliced
  • For the meringue:
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 6 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • For the pie:

  • Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.Boil and stir 1 minute.

  • Stir at least half of the hot mixture gradually into egg yolks. Stir into hot mixture in saucepan. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat.

  • Stir in butter, vanilla.

  • Place sliced banans in single layer in the pre-baked pie shell

  • Pour pudding mixture into the pre-baked pie shell over the bananas.

  • For the meringue:

  • Beat egg whites and cream of tarter in the bowl of an electric mixer until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 Tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy and stiff peaks form. Do not underbeat.

  • Beat in vanilla.

  • Spoon meringue onto hot pie filling. Spread over filling, carefully sealing meringue to the edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping. Using the back of a spoon, gently press down on the meringue and lift lightly to form peaks all over the top.

  • Place in a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

  • Cool pie and slice to serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes

Adapted from the Betty Crocker's Classic Cookbook

Finally, ourDisclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information about our site policies, visit our disclosure and site policy page here.

Banana Cream Pie Recipe Like Grandma's (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep bananas from turning dark in banana cream pie? ›

You can toss the sliced or diced banans in a bit of lemon juice before adding them to pie. or you can simply refrigerate them for long before adding to pudding, this may cause cold. Both of the above will restricts the bananas from turning brown.

Why did my banana cream pie turn out runny? ›

Why is my banana cream pie filling runny? A runny filling can occur if you don't cook the filling long enough or chill the pie adequately. The key is to cook the filling over medium heat until it's thick. You must also let the pie chill for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow the filling to set properly.

How to thicken banana cream pie filling? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the creamy filling. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, but it won't make your pie taste salty.

What is banana cream pie made of? ›

😉 Seriously, though, banana cream pie combines homemade pie pastry crust, fresh bananas, vanilla custard, and fluffy whipped cream. Homemade Vanilla Custard: This is a lot like my caramelized banana pudding, only a bit sturdier so it holds a nice slice.

What makes a cream pie runny? ›

Here's what I learned…that happens as a result of not cooking the custard long enough. Eggs are typically the main thickeners in custard and when cooked, the proteins in the eggs get thicker.

What thickens a cream pie? ›

Flour as Pie Filling Thickener

Teaspoon for teaspoon, you will need to use about twice as much flour as you would cornstarch or tapioca to achieve the same thickening effects. Adding too much flour to your pie filling will turn it cloudy and pasty, with a distinctly floury taste.

How to keep banana cream pie crust from getting soggy? ›

Coating the inside surface of the bottom crust will create a barrier to prevent sogginess. Adding a layer of corn syrup or a slightly beaten egg white before pouring in the filling will form a seal between the pie dough and the filling and will help make the crust crisp and flaky.

What is the best ingredient to use in thickening the filling of cream pies? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed.

How do you fix a runny pie filling? ›

To fix a runny pie that's already been baked, simply let it cool to see if it will congeal naturally. If not, you can stick it back in the oven for a bit longer. Apple pies are the epitome of comfort food, especially when freshly baked and filling your home with a mouthwatering aroma.

How do you keep bananas from browning in banana cream pie? ›

* Treat the bananas with citrus juice: Lemon, orange or pineapple juice will prevent browning. To avoid changing the flavor of the pie, you want to use as little as possible. Brush it lightly on the slices, or place the juice in a spray bottle and spritz them.

What is banana moon pie? ›

Banana Moon Pies are made from round graham cookies with a soft gooey marshmallow filling. They are then dipped in a banana flavour coating. A delicious treat that can be enjoyed hot or cold! A full box of 12 Banana Moon Pies. These sweets are imported from America.

How many days is banana cream pie good for? ›

Refrigerating them also retains their shape, texture and consistency (plus, that cool, creamy flavor that makes them special!). Banana cream pie will keep stored in the refrigerator, covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap, for up to three or four days.

Why did the bananas in my banana pudding turn black? ›

However, you also shouldn't expect banana pudding to last longer than a day or so. Beyond that, the bananas will start to darken wherever some of the pudding has been spooned out, exposing them to air. You may just need to treat banana pudding as a fleeting pleasure and plan accordingly.

Does pineapple juice keep bananas from turning brown? ›

Keep cut fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and peaches from turning brown by: Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice. Use a commercial anti-darkening preparation with fruits, such as Fruit-Fresh®*, and follow the manufacturer's directions.

How do you keep banana puree from turning brown? ›

Sprinkle a few drops of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange—into the purée to slow down oxidation. The juice contains ascorbic acid which prevents oxidation.

Will bananas go brown in custard? ›

Prepare now, eat later. This custard is easy and quick to prepare and is best eaten as soon as chilled. Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge, but eat within 1 day as the fruit will begin to turn brown and the caramel topping will soften.

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