Indulge in the Ultimate Strawberry Banana Cream Pie: A Recipe for Pure Delight

Contents

Experience the Perfect Blend: Your Guide to a Heavenly Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

Prepare to be enchanted by a dessert that’s as beautiful to behold as it is delicious to taste: the Strawberry Banana Cream Pie. This isn’t just any pie; it’s a meticulously crafted delight featuring a perfectly buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and velvety vanilla custard, and layers of sweet, ripe bananas. Chilled to perfection, it’s then crowned with a vibrant mosaic of fresh strawberries, ensuring every slice is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. This recipe offers a stunning presentation and promises an unforgettable culinary experience.

Embracing the Sweetness of Strawberry Season

There’s an undeniable joy that comes with the peak of strawberry season. The berries are plump, intensely flavored, and simply bursting with natural sweetness. How can one resist incorporating these gems into every possible dish? We find ourselves indulging in their luscious goodness at every opportunity, and for good reason! Their vibrant flavor and appealing texture make them a versatile star in both sweet and savory applications.

As an avid baker and a passionate admirer of pies, my blog boasts a diverse collection of pie recipes, each holding a special place in my heart. Among these, my classic Banana Cream Pie has long been a family favorite, cherished for its comforting richness and smooth, creamy filling. This Strawberry Banana Cream Pie takes that beloved foundation and elevates it with the refreshing tartness of fresh strawberries, transforming a classic into an extraordinary treat perfect for any occasion.

The Inspiration Behind This Culinary Masterpiece

Sometimes, a recipe simply jumps out at you, sparking an immediate desire to create. This was precisely my experience while browsing the delightful pages of Well Dined, a blog I was assigned to explore for the Secret Recipe Club this month. Though the site offered a tempting array of options, from a crisp Greek Style Zucchini Salad to rich Salty Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, it was the Strawberry Banana Cream Pie that truly captivated my attention. The thought of blending creamy bananas with juicy strawberries in a pie was simply irresistible.

Sarah, the talented force behind Well Dined, is renowned for her dual passion as an avid home cook and a discerning restaurant critic. This wasn’t my first venture into her culinary repertoire; I previously crafted her delectable S’Mores Treats for a holiday baking event. Her recipes consistently deliver on flavor and creativity, and I knew this pie would be no exception. It promised to be a delicious adventure, and it certainly delivered.

A Symphony of Flavors and a Feast for the Eyes

From the moment you take your first bite, it becomes clear that this pie is a true masterpiece of culinary harmony. Each element plays a crucial role in creating a delightful interplay of tastes and textures. The foundation is a robust graham cracker crust, buttery and perfectly baked, infused with a hint of warm cinnamon that adds a comforting depth. This subtle spice perfectly complements the star ingredients.

The heart of the pie is its luscious, vanilla-flavored custard. Silky smooth and rich, this custard provides an ideal canvas for the thinly sliced bananas that are generously layered within. The vanilla allows the natural, mellow sweetness of the bananas to truly shine without being overwhelmed, creating a wonderfully balanced banana flavor. The grand finale is the breathtaking topping: vibrant, fresh strawberries meticulously arranged in an elegant spoke pattern just before serving. The contrast of the bright red berries against the creamy yellow custard is visually stunning, promising a burst of juicy, fresh flavor with every forkful. This pie isn’t just delicious; its presentation is undeniably beautiful, making it a showstopper at any gathering.

Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

Creating this irresistible pie begins with gathering a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a concise list to help you get started:

**For the Crust:** You’ll need finely ground graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, melted butter, and a hint of ground cinnamon to enhance its flavor.
**For the Creamy Custard:** Essential components include milk, sugar, a pinch of salt, cornstarch for thickening, one whole egg, three additional egg yolks for richness, a tablespoon of unsalted butter (cut into pieces), and pure vanilla extract for that classic, comforting aroma.
**For the Fresh Fruit Layers:** Prepare one ripe banana, thinly sliced, and a pint of small, fresh strawberries, also sliced, to complete this exquisite dessert.

Crafting Perfection: A Detailed, Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

Embark on a delightful baking journey with this comprehensive guide to creating your very own Strawberry Banana Cream Pie. Each step is designed to ensure a flawless and delicious result, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet dessert.

Step 1: The Buttery Graham Cracker Crust

A great pie starts with a fantastic crust. This graham cracker crust is not only easy to make but provides the perfect textural and flavorful base for our creamy filling.

**Preheat Your Oven:** Start by preheating your oven to a precise 375°F (190°C). This temperature is crucial for achieving a perfectly golden and crisp crust.
**Prepare the Crumb Mixture:** In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the finely ground graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup of white sugar, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended and the mixture resembles moist sand.
**Form the Crust:** Carefully press this mixture evenly into a standard 9-inch pie plate. Use the back of a spoon, your fingers, or a flat-bottomed glass to firmly compact the crumbs, ensuring they cover the bottom and extend up the sides of the plate for a sturdy shell.
**Bake and Cool:** Place the pie plate in the preheated oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-browning. Once baked, remove the crust from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. A fully cooled crust is essential before adding the custard filling.

Step 2: The Velvety Vanilla Custard Filling

The heart of this pie is its incredibly smooth and rich vanilla custard. Follow these steps carefully to achieve a perfectly thickened and flavorful filling.

**Begin Heating the Milk:** In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups of milk with 2/3 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
**Create the Cornstarch Slurry:** While the milk heats, prepare your thickening agent. In a separate medium-sized, heatproof bowl, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of milk with 1/4 cup of cornstarch until a smooth, lump-free slurry forms. Then, whisk in the whole egg and the three egg yolks until they are fully incorporated into the cornstarch mixture.
**Temper the Eggs (Crucial Step):** To prevent the eggs from scrambling, it’s vital to temper them gradually. Slowly and continuously whisk about 1/3 of the hot milk mixture from the saucepan into the cornstarch and egg mixture in the bowl. This slowly raises the temperature of the eggs without cooking them instantly.
**Thicken the Custard:** Once tempered, slowly pour the warmed egg mixture back into the gently boiling milk in the saucepan, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk vigorously as the mixture comes back to a gentle boil. You will notice it beginning to thicken within minutes. Continue whisking and cook for an additional 30 seconds to ensure the cornstarch is fully activated and the custard reaches its desired consistency.
**Finish with Butter and Vanilla:** Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (cut into pieces) until it is completely melted and smoothly incorporated. Finally, stir in the 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. The butter adds a luxurious sheen and extra richness, while the vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile.

Step 3: Assembling, Chilling, and Garnishing Your Pie

The final steps involve layering the fruit, chilling the pie to perfection, and adding the beautiful strawberry topping for a show-stopping finish.

**Layer the Filling:** Pour approximately half of the hot custard filling into your cooled graham cracker pie crust. Spread it evenly across the bottom.
**Add the Bananas:** Arrange the thinly sliced banana rounds in a single, even layer over the first layer of custard. Ensure they are distributed nicely for a balanced flavor in every bite.
**Complete the Filling:** Carefully pour the remaining custard filling over the bananas, using a rubber spatula to scrape the pan clean and ensure you get every last bit of deliciousness. Gently smooth the top surface of the custard with the spatula to create a neat finish.
**Chill Thoroughly:** To prevent a skin from forming on the custard, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the hot filling. Refrigerate the pie until it is completely cold and firmly set, which will take at least one hour, but preferably several hours or even overnight for optimal firmness and flavor development.
**Prepare for Serving:** About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, remove the chilled pie from the refrigerator. Allowing it to sit at room temperature for a short period enhances its flavors and makes it easier to slice cleanly.
**Garnish with Strawberries:** Just before serving, artfully arrange the sliced fresh strawberries in an elegant spoke pattern over the top of the pie. The vibrant red berries not only add a burst of fresh flavor but also create a stunning visual presentation.

Expert Tips for Achieving Pie Perfection

Even the simplest recipes benefit from a few insider tips. Here’s how to ensure your Strawberry Banana Cream Pie turns out flawlessly every time:

**Choose Ripe, Firm Bananas:** Select bananas that are ripe enough for sweetness but still firm. This ensures they slice cleanly and maintain their texture within the pie without becoming mushy.
**Prevent Browning:** While the custard largely protects them, a very light brush of lemon juice on your banana slices before layering can further help prevent browning, especially if the pie sits for an extended period.
**Plastic Wrap is Your Ally:** Always press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the hot custard before chilling. This prevents the formation of a rubbery skin and keeps the top layer perfectly smooth and appealing.
**Embrace the Chill Time:** Patience is key! Do not cut corners on the chilling process. A thoroughly chilled pie will hold its shape beautifully, offering clean slices and a delightful, firm texture.
**Fresh Strawberries for the Win:** For the best possible flavor and presentation, always use fresh strawberries, and slice them just before arranging them on the pie. Frozen strawberries can release too much water and compromise the pie’s integrity.
**Vanilla Graham Crackers (A Secret Weapon):** As a special note from the original recipe creator, if you happen to have vanilla-flavored graham crackers, use them for your crust! They impart an extra layer of delicious flavor that is truly remarkable.

Discover More Irresistible Pie Creations

If your heart beats for a delectable slice of pie, you’ve come to the right place. While I appreciate all forms of dessert, there’s an unparalleled comfort and satisfaction found in a perfectly crafted pie. If you’ve fallen in love with this Strawberry Banana Cream Pie, I warmly invite you to explore other beloved recipes from my extensive collection. You might just discover your next go-to dessert!

Here are a few other cherished pie recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds:

S’Mores Cream Pie: A campfire classic transformed into a luxurious, no-bake pie.
Coconut Cream Pie: A tropical dream with layers of creamy coconut goodness.
French Silk Pie: Indulge in rich, intensely chocolatey, and incredibly smooth decadence.
Grandma’s Rhubarb Pie: A timeless, comforting classic balancing tartness and sweetness.
Chocolate Meringue Pie: A dramatic and delicious pie featuring a rich chocolate filling topped with a fluffy meringue.
Spiced Peach Pie with Crumb Topping: A warm and inviting fruit pie, perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For a comprehensive collection, be sure to See ALL of my Pie Recipes!

The delicate heart-shaped strawberry gracing the center of this pie isn’t just a charming embellishment; it’s a small detail that speaks volumes about the passion and care poured into every element of this extraordinary dessert. It truly is a pie made with love, perfect for sharing a moment of pure joy.

Recipe: Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

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Extreme close-up of Strawberry Banana Cream Pie, showing rich texture and vibrant fruit

Average rating: 4.43 from 21 votes

Print Recipe

Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

A delightful combination of a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and vibrant strawberries, chilled to perfection. This pie offers a beautiful presentation and is simply scrumptious!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Additional Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

Servings: 8

Calories: 373 kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/2 cups milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 egg
3 egg yolks
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, cut in pieces
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 banana, thinly sliced
1 pint small strawberries, sliced (about two cups)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon until well blended. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate.
Bake for 7-10 minutes. Cool completely.
To prepare the custard: Whisk 2 cups of milk, with the 2/3 cup sugar and salt in a medium saucepan, over medium heat and bring to a boil. In a medium sized heatproof bowl, whisk remaining 1/2 cup milk with the cornstarch. Whisk the egg and egg yolks into the cornstarch mixture. Slowly whisk about 1/3 of the hot milk into the cornstarch mixture. As milk continues to boil, whisk warmed egg mixture back into milk, whisking constantly until mixture comes to a gentle boil. Continuing to whisk constantly, mixture will begin to thicken within minutes. Continue whisking and cook for 30 seconds more. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 Tablespoon butter and vanilla.
Pour half of the hot filling into the pie crust. Arrange sliced banana evenly. Pour the remaining half of the filling over the banana, scraping the pan clean with a rubber spatula. Use the spatula to smooth over the top. Press plastic wrap directly onto the filling surface and refrigerate the pie until cold (at least one hour). Before serving, let the pie sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Arrange sliced strawberries in a spoke pattern over the top just before serving.

Notes

I used vanilla graham crackers for the crust, and it added a GREAT flavor. Highly recommend trying it!

Recipe adapted from Well Dined.

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