Banana Cream Pie

What, you've never heard of a Russian Banana Cream Pie? Okay you caught me, this recipe is very much so not Russian, but rather is as American as they come. My Noah loves this dessert so I have made it a priority to learn how to not only make it, but perfect it. This past weekend, I think I achieved just that. 

This particular recipe made me very happy, as I put a little twist on it that Noah did not expect, but still very much enjoyed. It came out delicious and was fairly simple too!

Banana Cream Pie

My Recipe, for Noah

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust

10 or 11 whole graham crackers

1 tspn. sugar

4 tbspn. unsalted butter, melted

Chocolate Layer

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 oz bittersweet chocolate (I use Ghiardelli baking chocolate)

Filling

1 package instant vanilla pudding (and all ingredients it calls for to be made)

Whipped Topping

1 cup heavy cream

2 tbspn powdered sugar

3 medium bananas

Directions:

Graham Cracker Crust

1.) Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2.) Using a food processor, create graham cracker crumbs. Combine the crumbs with the sugar in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until incorporated.

3.) Pour the mixture into a 9-inch tart pan and use something with a flat bottom to press the crust into the pan so that it forms an even layer.

4.) Bake it until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes; cool completely

Chocolate Layer

1.) Place the chocolate into a double broiler and melt it, add the heavy cream; mix until it is all incorporated. 

2.) Pour the chocolate in one even layer over the cooled pie crust; refrigerate

1.) Make your pudding and pour it over the chocolate pie crust

2.) Slice up the bananas and most of them in one even layer over the chocolate; reserve some to incorporate into the whipped cream topping

Whipped Cream Topping

1.) Using a hand-mixer, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and continue to mix until it is incorporated

2.) Fold in the remaining bananas into the whipped cream

3.) Spoon the pastry cream evenly onto the crust 

4.) Shave some chocolate over the top and add a few bananas as a decorative garnish

5.) Chill and serve within 24 hours