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

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? ›

Coat the banana slices in a wee bit of lemon juice and that'll stop the browning. Then, once they are in the pudding, the lemon juice and lack of oxygen will keep them looking fresh.

Why did my banana cream pie turn out runny? ›

Several factors could contribute to a runny banana cream pie. It may not have set properly if the custard wasn't cooked long enough or if it wasn't chilled adequately. Ensure you follow the recipe's instructions for both cooking and chilling times, and consider refrigerating the pie for a longer period if needed.

Why didn t my banana cream pie set? ›

How to Ensure Your Banana Cream Pie Sets. With 4 egg yolks, 4 Tablespoons of cornstarch, and some heavy cream, you can be certain this custard sets into a pretty sliceable texture. Be sure to whisk it on the stove often, and let it bubble and cook long enough for the heat to help bind the cornstarch to the fat.

Why is my banana cream pie lumpy? ›

Why is my banana cream pie filling lumpy? Lumps can happen if you don't stir the filling continuously while cooking, or if the heat is too high. To prevent this, ensure that you stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.

Will lemon juice keep bananas from turning dark? ›

Just toss your banana slices in some lemon juice to inhibit enzymatic browning. Full coverage, particularly on the cut sides, will help prevent the slices from turning brown. In addition to lemon juice, vinegar will also work.

How long will lemon juice keep bananas from turning brown? ›

However, if you sprinkle them with a little lemon juice, it lowers the pH levels and will keep browning at bay. Following the lemon trick, put them in the fridge, either wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight food storage container or bag. Stored this way, sliced bananas can stay fresh for three to four days.

How do you keep meringue from weeping in banana pudding? ›

More Tips to Stop Meringue from Weeping
  1. Make meringue pie on dry, low-humidity days.
  2. Don't overbake your meringue! ...
  3. Undissolved sugar in the egg whites can also cause weeping. ...
  4. Always prepare the meringue before preparing the pie filling so it's ready to spread while the filling is still hot.
Aug 31, 2022

Should banana cream pie be refrigerated? ›

Should banana cream pie be refrigerated? You should definitely refrigerate banana cream pie as it is filled with dairy, which should not be left out for longer than an hour or so. Cover with a large cloche or arrange some tin foil loosely over the pie and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

How do you fix a pie that didn't set? ›

Once you've noticed the problem, the only solution is to protect the crust and pop the pie back in the oven. If you look in the oven and see that your pecan pie crust has turned a perfect golden brown, you'll instinctively want to take it out -- even if the filling is too jiggly or even soupy.

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.

How do you thicken banana pudding filling? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the custard. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor, but it won't make the dessert taste salty. Eggs: Three beaten eggs add moisture and act as a binder. Milk: Use two cups of milk or your favorite milk alternative.

Why is my banana pudding so watery? ›

Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

Does banana cream pie go bad? ›

I slice the pie, then store the slices in an airtight container or baggies in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration: the banana cream pie should last about 2-3 days. Freezer: the banana cream pie will last about 3 months.

Can you leave banana cream pie out? ›

Pies with dairy and egg that fall in the cream pie category, such as our Coconut Cream Pie or a chocolate mousse pie, should always be refrigerated, according to Stephens and Wickenden.

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

Bananas turn brown due to oxidation, exposure to air. If you're making a banana cream pie, prepare the crust, prepare the pudding and then peel and slice the bananas and place them into the pie crust. Follow the sliced bananas with the pudding and bake.

How do you keep bananas fresh in a cream pie? ›

Assemble the pie just before serving: Cut and add the bananas to the pie just before serving, as this will limit the time that they are exposed to air and prevent them from browning. Sugar syrup: Dip the banana slices in a sugar syrup to coat them before adding to the pie.

What keeps the banana from browning too much? ›

To preserve peeled bananas, take a tablespoon of lemon juice and brush it over the banana. Lime juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice will work as well.

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