Description
This Easy Banana Cream Pie is the perfect dessert for any occasion! With a creamy vanilla pudding filling, ripe bananas, and a buttery crust, it’s a treat that’s both comforting and indulgent. The best part? It’s super easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time. Serve it as a dessert for family gatherings, dinner parties, or just as a sweet treat for yourself. This no-bake pie is simple, but the results are spectacular.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust (Choose One):
- 1 pre-made graham cracker crust (9-inch)
- or 1 baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought), fully cooled
- For the Filling:
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ¾ cups cold whole milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream (optional, for added creaminess)
- Banana Layer:
- 2 to 3 medium ripe bananas, sliced
- Topping:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional garnishes:
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers
- Additional banana slices for the top
- A sprinkle of chopped nuts or cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:
- If using a pre-made crust, unwrap and place on your workspace.
- If using a homemade or frozen store-bought crust, bake and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Make the Pudding Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 1¾ cups cold milk.
- Optional: Add ½ cup heavy cream for extra richness.
- Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
- Slice the Bananas:
- Peel and slice the bananas into ¼-inch rounds. Set aside enough slices for the top garnish.
- Layer the Filling and Bananas:
- Place a layer of banana slices in the bottom of the crust.
- Pour half of the pudding mixture over the bananas and spread evenly.
- Add another layer of banana slices, then top with the remaining pudding mixture.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Whip the Cream Topping:
- In a chilled mixing bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the top of the pie.
- Garnish and Chill:
- Decorate the top with the reserved banana slices.
- Optionally, sprinkle with toasted coconut, crushed cookies, or nuts.
- Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours