Can I share a secret with you guys? Just because something is labor-intenseive or 100% homemade doesn’t mean it’s the best. Making great food doesn’t have to be hard, and sometimes shortcuts are delicious. Let’s stop being martyrs here. I used to think the same way you did. I used to make everything absolutely from scratch. And there are a lot of things I only make from scratch, but if there’s a better, easier way of doing them, I ususally do that instead.
Take, for example, banana cream pie. I used to make it with homemade pie crust and homemade pudding that literally took an hour of stirring over a hot stove. Don’t get me wrong, it was good, but my sister-in-law Emily’s recipe for banana cream pie is awesome. It tastes JUST LIKE Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding (Like, the Magnolia Bakery in New York City). And it’s a million times easier than homemade. But you purists out there are questioning me–“Jello pudding? Pre-made graham cracker crust? No stinking way.” To which I say, “Yes way.” Live on the edge here, take it to Easter dinner this Sunday, and be prepared for everyone to love you. Because hey, food is the best way to win friends and influence people! 🙂
The trickiest part of this recipe is the pudding, which isn’t THAT tricky, but you just need to make sure you’re getting two things right: make sure it’s instant pudding and that is the 3.4 oz. package (the 4-serving size.)
If you want to play around with flavors, that’s totally fine–I always use vanilla because I hate artificial banana flavor and the vanilla pudding will take on the banana flavors from the bananas, but you can get wild and crazy and use butterscotch, cheesecake, chocolate–wherever your pretty little brain takes you.
You’re also going to need heavy whipping cream, bananas, 2 8-serving graham cracker pie crusts (you could also use chocolate or Nilla wafer if the Spirit moves you), sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar.
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix, cold water,
and sweetened condensed milk.
Mix well and place in the refrigerator to chill for a few minutes. In another bowl, whip 1 cup of whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Slice the bananas (probably 4-5 small bananas or 2 large bananas) and layer them on the bottom of the crusts.
Be sure and save the plastic domes that come with the pie crusts–you’ll need them later!
Set aside. Remove pudding from the fridge and gently dollop the whipped cream on top of the pudding.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until well-combined.
Now divide the mixture between the two pies.
Prepare sweetened whipped cream with the remaining whipping cream and 1/3 c. of powdered sugar and spread it on top of the two pies.
Place the clear plastic shells back on the pies and allow to chill for several hours. This is actually really important–I tried eating it right away once and the pie wasn’t banana-y at all and the moisture hadn’t absorbed into the crust, so the crust just fell apart.
And there you have it–the best AND the easiest banana cream pie you’ll ever have or need!
Banana Cream Pie
Servings pies
Ingredients
- 1 3.4- ounce package INSTANT vanilla pudding
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 8- serving graham cracker or cookie crusts
- Lots of bananas 4-5 small bananas or 2-3 large ones
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix, cold water, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix well and place in the refrigerator to chill for a few minutes. In another bowl, whip 1 cup of whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Slice the bananas (probably 4-5 small bananas or 2-3 large bananas) and layer them on the bottom of the crusts. Be sure and save the plastic domes that come with the pie crusts--you'll need them later!
- Set aside. Remove pudding from the fridge and gently dollop the whipped cream on top of the pudding. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until well-combined.
- Now divide the mixture between the two pies. Rinse the pudding bowl and beaters and set aside for later.
- Place the clear plastic shells back on the pies and allow to chill for several hours. This is actually really important--I tried eating it right away once and the pie wasn't banana-y at all and the moisture hadn't absorbed into the crust, so the crust just fell apart.
- If possible, immediately before serving, combine the remaining heavy cream and 1/3 cup powdered sugar in the bowl you mixed the pudding in and beat with an electric mixer on high until soft peaks form. Spread over the pies. (If you can't do this immediately before serving, it's okay to do the whipped cream step after you put the pudding mixture in the shells.)
Notes
Chunky Monkey Variation:
Blend 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter into the pudding/water/sweetened condensed milk mixture (before you fold in the whipped cream). Continue as directed but place in a chocolate cookie crust. Sprinkle with honey roasted peanuts just before serving.
Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a picture, and hashtag it #ourbestbites. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @ourbestbites!
Questions & Reviews
I made this for Thanksgiving this year; not very traditional for Thanksgiving but it turned out great!!!! I also have stood over the stove in the past for over an hour making homemade banana cream filling but no longer. When asking the company what kind of pie they wanted everyone asked for Banana cream. I did make this in a traditional pie crust instead of graham, used a deep pie plate so only made one pie. I got compliments from the whole family. Thanks for the recipe!
Bri, yup, still has bananas (otherwise there would be no monkey, haha). You could use chocolate pudding, but I used the vanilla as called for in the recipe.
So is the Chunky Monkey version still have bananas? Is it the chocolate pudding with the peanut butter?
Hey, Beffy! I've never tried Cool Whip, so I can't say, but it might be worth it to go and get a cheap hand mixer–like, seriously, don't spend more than $7-$10 on it. You'll use it all the time and it won't be the end of the world if it breaks or gets left behind.
I don't know if anyone will see this…but could I use something else instead of Whipping the whipping cream? I live in a dorm, and I don't have a blender, but I really wanted to make my BF this for his birthday 😛 Could i use CoolWhip, or something? THanks if anyone knows!
This was really good and super easy and quick. I used french vanilla pudding, shortbread crust, topped with a few extra banana slices, and drizzled with caramel syrup. IThe caramel syrup really gave it an extra "umph"! Thanks for sharing!
Way yummy and way easy!! (The choc. pie crusts make it the best)
Great recipe! I particularly loved it with the chocolate pudding. But a word to the wise: Splurge and buy Keebler crusts rather than the cheap store brand. I tried to save a bit by doing the latter and the crust was nasty! At least the filling was delish.
THE BEST banana cream pie I have ever eaten, more or less made! And so easy.
I've only ever made it with fat free/sugar free, so I can tell you it works great! All of the pies pictures used the sugar free.
Oh, Elesa…I don't know! 🙂 Fat free/sugar free puddings are pretty darn good, so it would probably be fine since there's so much sugar in the pie, anyway. But I've never tried it, so I can't say for sure! If you try it and it's fabulous (or not!), let us know!
Do you think it will screw it up if I use sugar free/fat free pudding?
There's nothing wrong with things being quick and easy. The banana cream pie looks great and the chunky monkey version sounds good as well.
YUM!!!! I love banana anything! This looks so simple and yummy! Thanks!!
WOW that looks incredible – this is one of hubby's favorite desserts and now I have no excuse not to make it for him!!
Katie– I’m stoked my recipe was good enough to make it into your blog! I know this comment is a little late, but better late than never?
I made this last night (for a special occasion? No. To sit on my couch and eat? Yes:) I used vanilla pudding and put in raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries instead of the bananas and popped it in a homemade cinnamon-graham crust and it was awesome!
Wow, $50! And now you’re famous! 🙂
i’m probably the only “ingrid” in the large and looming Wells Family. i’ll see you in 2 weeks!
Wow, that’s awesome! Now…which “Wells” are you…I can’t figure it out!!
I made the banana cream pie for a fundraising desesert auction last night, and it sold for $50! Quite a pie…
We love this! It is one of our desert staples now. I have never done it with chocolate pudding. Maybe I’ll have to try that. For Easter this year I was thinking of making it without the bananas and putting strawberries on top instead. (with cheesecake flavored pudding.)
Yum! This one makes my mouth water! Can’t wait to try it!
p.s. How weird is it that I am now married to an Uncle Bob?!
Yum! This one makes my mouth water! Can’t wait to try it!
p.s. How weird is it that I am now married to an Uncle Bob?!
Yum! This one makes my mouth water! Can’t wait to try it!
p.s. How weird is it that I am now married to an Uncle Bob?!
Hey Tara! That’s awesome you’re having a baby, and Jeff too. We’ll have to get all these boys together some time. This is the only blog I have for now- keeps me busy enough! Good to hear from ya!
Hey Sara,
I just stumbled upon your blog! This is Jeff B’s sister, Tara…went to HS with Eric. I hear we’re having boys around the same time. Congratulations! Do you have a personal blog? Tell Eric hi.
🙂
Emily, I thought the very same thing. In fact, I don’t just have one sister in law named Emily, I have THREE!
I neeeed to make this pie too 🙂
Oh no! I have 5 sisters-in-law, but no Emily’s. Is that bad? I had an Uncle Bob… does that count?
Well, 10, if you count the wives/girlfriends of brothers-in-law. Still no Emily’s. 🙁
I think they took some of our Emily’s- because I don’t have one either, but I do have an Uncle Bob (and he’s my favorite uncle).
Yep, it’s a rule. Like when I was little, everyone had an Uncle Bob. 🙂
Yes! Something I can do. . . and Oh, that pie looks delish.
p.s. Does everyone have a sister-in-law named Emily?