Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie (Southern-Style)
Creamy Banana Delight Pie Recipe
Adapting from the classic Southern Living recipe, this Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie brings together the delightful flavors of vanilla wafer cookies, ripened bananas, and a creamy vanilla custard, all enveloped in a billowy meringue. Freshen up your dessert repertoire with this unique twist on a Southern staple!
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 (12-ounce) box vanilla-flavored wafer-style cookies, preferably Nilla Wafers
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the pie
- 2 large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced medium thin
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Special Equipment
A 9-inch pie dish is essential for this recipe.
Yield
1 (9-inch) pie or 8 servings
Difficulty Level
Medium
Preparation Time
1 hr, plus 5 hrs 30 mins for cooling and chilling
Active Time
25 minutes
Insights
For those who appreciate Southern cuisine, understanding the history and evolution of this dessert can add depth to your baking experience. Originating from the Southern United States, traditional banana pudding is a favorite dessert during the summer months, thanks to its cool and creamy texture. The classic dessert was often made using simple ingredients like bananas, vanilla wafers, and a custard-like mixture made from eggs, sugar, and milk.
The addition of a meringue topping may have come later, but it adds a delightful contrast to the richness of the cake. Over time, versions like this Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie evolved, incorporating new techniques and twists to bring freshness to a beloved traditional treat.
Instructions
To make the crust:1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Set aside 20 of the cookies. Add the remaining cookies to a food processor and pulse 8 to 10 times, or until they're coarsely crushed (you should have about 2 1/2 cups of crumbs). Transfer the crumbs to a small bowl and add the melted butter. Stir until blended. Firmly press the crumb mixture onto the bottom, up the sides, and onto the lip of your pie dish.2. Bake the crust until it's lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool thoroughly, about 30 minutes. Keep the oven at 350°F.
To make the filling:1. Add the sugar, flour, eggs, yolks, and milk to a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan; whisk to combine. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until it reaches the thickness of chilled pudding, about 8 to 10 minutes. The mixture will just begin to bubble, and should be thick enough to hold soft peaks when you lift the whisk from the pan.2. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside.
To assemble and bake the pie:1. Arrange the banana slices evenly over the bottom of the cooled crust. Spread half of the warm filling over the bananas and top with the 20 reserved cookies. Spread the remaining filling over the cookies (don't worry if it seems like there's too much filling-it should rise about 1/4 inch higher than the crust's top edge).2. With a hand-held mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment beat the egg whites on high speed until they're foamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and the sugar has dissolved, to form a meringue. Spread the meringue evenly over the pie filling and all the way to the rim of the crust, making sure there's no gap around the edges.3. Bake until the meringue topping is golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack until completely cool, about 1 hour. Transfer to the fridge to chill thoroughly, at least 4 hours.
Now that your Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie is complete, you can share this delicious Southern-inspired dessert with friends and family. Enjoy!
- In the process of creating this Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie recipe, it's recommended to use Nilla Wafers as they lend a preferable flavor to the vanilla-wafer crust.
- For those seeking alternatives or struggling with certain ingredients, consider using a different brand of cookies or even a creditline to obtain the necessary unsalted butter.
- When assembling the pie, remember to spread the meringue evenly over the filling and up to the rim of the crust, ensuring there's no gap around the edges.
- If you find yourself with leftover pie, categorize it as 'uncategorized' in your Aussiedlerbote or recipe book for easy future reference, allowing you to recreate the dessert whenever cravings arise.
