{delightful} banana cream pie

Banana cream pie is one of our favorites over here. I usually get talked into adding a layer of chocolate at the bottom or pouring some chocolate sauce over the top.... but honestly this one does it all on its own. This photo really doesn't do this pie justice. This pie is a true deep dish pie with layers of banana and a wonderful sweet creamy custard and topped generously with whipping cream. For me the key is the custard!

Of course when you think of bananas you have to think of the monkey. My kids would probably do a song and dance for me to make one of these pies. It might be worth it too!

(Aren't these guys cute... we found them in an antique arcade in San Fran by the warf - strait from the movie BIG! :)

A spoonful and perfect happiness!

banana cream pie by ann west

One flakey pie crust! - pre -coked

filling:

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup or slightly less corn starch

1/4 salt

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk

3 large egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla bean paste (this is a great product to have on hand!)

1 tsp vanilla

2-3 tbls unsalted butter

6 ripe bananas- peeled and sliced

Whisk the sugar, corn starch and salt in a heavy duty large sauce pan. Whisk in the cream and milk. Then add your egg yolks. Whisk over medium heat until the custard thickens - to a pudding like consistency. Stir in you butter and add your vanilla paste and vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl and let cook to room temp. **(If I need to spped u the cooling process I transfer the custard to a metal bowl and place it in another bowl with ice.)

Once your custard is at room temp and your crust has been pre cooked you are ready to layer your fabulous pie. I spread a think layer of custard on the bottom smear a layer of custard over the top then repeat. You need to leave enough custard to cover the tope of the pie. I then press plastic wrap on the pie and refrigerate. Before serving whip cream with a little sugar and serve!

* if your family is a fan of chocolate and banana you can simply melt some semi-sweet chocolate and add just a little cream and layer that on the bottom of the pie before you start your layers. Or serve it with fudge sauce - or heck you can do both if you really want to go for it!

it's the best! enjoy.