Somehow I'd never typed up this yummy banana cream pie recipe, despite making it many times.  If you don't want to make a crust, you can easily make a banana pudding (with or without homemade vanilla wafer cookies) and layer it up - just use the same pudding recipe and sliced bananas listed below.  Also delicious! Enjoy!

A yummy slice of chilled banana cream pie - with little bites of chocolate throughout. 

Banana Cream Pie!  

Prepare and bake one buttermilk pastry pie crust. (This pie crust recipe makes 2 crusts - so you can always make an extra for later, or use it for something savory, like a quiche). 

Your pudding filling can go into a warm or cooled crust.  I typically start making the filling once the pie crust is in the oven.  

Pie crust, ready and cooling. 

In a medium saucepan (avoid non-stick coated pans), heat over medium heat until just boiling: 

2 1/2 cup half & half OR whole milk

1/3 - 1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla bean paste OR vanilla extract

1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt

In a small bowl, mix together: 

1/4 cup cornstarch

4 egg yolks

1/4 cup half & half OR whole milk

Whisk the yolks/cornstarch mixture into the hot sugar/cream mixture.  Increase the heat to medium-high to speed up the process, but whisk constantly and rapidly.  Once the mixture thickens and starts to boil (I find it makes big, thick popping bubbles when done, and I quickly have to remove from heat to avoid getting burned), remove from heat.  

As quick as you can, cover the bottom of your pie crust with even slices of fresh banana. You'll want to use:

2 - 3 ripe, yellow bananas

Cover the bottom with nice slices of ripe (not over-ripe) banana

If desired, you can add and sprinkle over the bananas: 

1/4 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (Optional)

Optional, but tasty, addition of chocolate chips

Immediately pour the hot pudding filling into your baked pie crust.  Immediately cover with plastic wrap - press the plastic wrap tightly to the surface of your pudding.  Refrigerate until chilled.  Slice and serve with whipped cream.  Enjoy! 

Immediately pouring on the warm/hot vanilla pudding.

Cover as nicely as possible with plastic wrap pressed to the surface.

Yum!!! 

Banana Cream Pie Recipe by Successfully Gluten Free!