Love banana cream pie?

The method is simple withresults that truly rival any boxed pudding mix.

My version, like many classic takes, layers ripe bananas within the pudding.

Whole banana cream pie with whipped cream swirls on top and banana slices set against a pink background.

Cindy Rahe

Why Use Real Vanilla Bean Paste?

Ive opted for vanilla paste as the flavoring for some contrasting speckles throughout the pudding.

Vanilla paste is a suspension of vanilla beans that can be used interchangeably with vanilla extract.

Slice of banana cream pie with whipped cream on top and banana slices set against a pink background.

Cindy Rahe

My favorite brand is Heilala, but I also like Nielsen-Massey.

What If Your Pudding Isnt Thickening?

If its just not reaching pudding-level texture you might make a slurry.

banana cream pie

Cindy Rahe

Whats the Best Crust for Banana Cream Pie?

To learn more about making whipped cream check out our post onHow to Make Whipped Cream.

If you have any leftover,freeze it!

Whole banana cream pie with whipped cream swirls on top and banana slices set against a pink background.

Cindy Rahe

Then add the whipped cream and decorative banana slices just before serving.

To add the whipped cream in advance, its best to stabilize it with a bit of gelatin.

Ive included the instructions in the recipe below.

A sliver pot filled with vanilla pudding.

Cindy Rahe

Just before serving top with sliced bananas.

Storing and Freezing This Pie

This pie isnt meant for the freezer.

More Homemade Pie Recipes to Give a Try!

Photograph of vanilla pudding cooking on the stovetop. A wooden spoon is lifted out and a line is drawn through it to show the thickness of the pudding.

Cindy Rahe

Resist the urge to increase the heat, as it could break the pudding.

Cool for 20 minutes on a rack before placing in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

you’ve got the option to do this step 1 or 2 days in advance.

VVanilla pudding cooling in a 9x13 baking dish to make an easy homemade banana cream pie.

Cindy Rahe

Preheat the oven to 350F.

While the pudding cools and chills, make the crust.

Add the vanilla wafers to your food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs.

Crushed vanilla waffers in a pink bowl with a spatula.

Cindy Rahe

Place the crumbs into a bowl and stir in the melted butter, sugar, and salt.

Bake the crust in the oven for 15 minutes and cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.

Peel two bananas and slice them into 1/4-inch rounds.

Vanilla Waffer Pie crust for homemade banana cream pie

Cindy Rahe

Give the pudding a stir until creamy and spoon half into the bottom of the baked pie crust.

Place the banana slices in a single layer on top of the pudding.

Spread the remaining pudding over the bananas and smooth the top.

Vanilla waffer crust partially filled with vanilla pudding to make an easy homemade banana cream pie.

Cindy Rahe

Press the plastic wrap you saved directly onto the surface and chill for 6 hours or overnight.

In a small bowl add cold water and sprinkle the gelatin over the water.

Watch the gelatin as it will expand and could bubble up over the bowl.

Homemade Banana Cream Pie with banana slices layered ontop of the pudding in a vanilla waffer crust.

Cindy Rahe

Let the gelatin cool slightly just for a minute or two while the cream whips.

With the mixer still running, slowly drizzle the melted gelatin into the cream until fully incorporated.

Beat on medium speed until stiff peaks are reached.

Banana cream pie in a vanilla waffer crust.

Cindy Rahe

Load the whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe swirls around the pie.

Top the swirls with slices of banana.

Banana cream pie with clingflim over the top.

Cindy Rahe

Melted gelatin in a small glass bowl.

Cindy Rahe

Adding melted gelitin to the bowl of pink standmixer filled with heavy cream.

Cindy Rahe

Pink stand mixer with a whisk attachment lifted out of the mixing bowl filled wtih whipped cream.

Cindy Rahe

Woman with painted red fingernails holding a star piping tip.

Cindy Rahe

Piping bag full of whipped cream.

Cindy Rahe

Whole banana cream pie with whipped cream swirls on top set against a white background.

Cindy Rahe