Indulge in the ultimate dessert experience with our Salted Caramel Banana Pie, featuring an effortlessly delicious 2-ingredient Nutter Butter crust. This foolproof recipe guarantees to delight every palate, and thanks to a clever secret ingredient, your bananas will remain perfectly vibrant and fresh!
Welcome, fellow dessert enthusiasts! Mariah from Mariah’s Pleasing Plates here, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this extraordinary dessert with you. When asked to pick one of my favorite springtime treats, my mind initially wandered to refreshing berry limeade bars or perhaps my beloved blueberry donuts. However, after a moment of reflection, I realized there was only one true contender: this incredible Salted Caramel Banana Pie. And why, you might ask? Because, in my humble opinion, it’s simply the best banana pie you’ll ever taste. While that might sound like a slight exaggeration, it genuinely is one of our household’s most cherished recipes and consistently my most requested dessert.
Are you a pie person? I’ve observed that people tend to fall into one camp or the other. But if you’re not yet a pie aficionado, allow me to transform you into a true believer. This isn’t just any pie; it’s a harmonious blend of creamy banana, decadent salted caramel, and a unique Nutter Butter crust, all crowned with a fluffy banana whipped cream designed to perfectly balance the sweetness. Yes, I went there, and it’s every bit as amazing as it sounds!
Oh, how can words adequately describe my profound affection for this pie and all its banana-infused glory? My absolute favorite element of this dessert has to be the crust. It’s incredibly simple, virtually foolproof, and requires just two ingredients. That’s a winning combination in my book! Over time, I’ve perfected this recipe, incorporating a secret ingredient that ensures the bananas remain bright and don’t turn brown – a detail we’ll delve into shortly. The custard itself is exquisitely rich and velvety smooth, holding its form beautifully when sliced, because let’s be honest, no one wants a messy banana pie. It truly is pure perfection. To help you achieve an extra-heavenly pie, here are a few invaluable tips:
- Choose the Right Bananas: For this recipe, aim for bananas that are just ripe. Those that are too soft will result in a mushy pie, while underripe bananas will lack the full, sweet flavor essential for this dessert. Look for bananas that still hold their shape but have developed a few small brown spots on their peel.
- Maximize Banana Flavor in Custard: Do not skip the crucial step of infusing the bananas into the custard mixture. This process extracts and deepens the natural banana flavor, making the pie truly sing. It’s a game-changer for taste!
- The Secret to Fresh-Looking Bananas: The magical ingredient that keeps your banana slices perfectly yellow and prevents browning is fresh orange juice. The natural acidity in the juice acts as a protective barrier, preserving the vibrant color without imparting any noticeable orange flavor to the pie.
- Achieve Stiff Whipped Cream: For a stable whipped cream topping that holds its shape beautifully, chill a metal mixing bowl in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes before you start whipping. For an extra thick and subtly banana-flavored whipped cream, consider adding a tablespoon of instant banana pudding mix to the cream mixture before whipping.
- Quality Caramel Matters: While I often opt for a convenient store-bought salted caramel sauce for its simplicity, using a high-quality, gourmet variety or even making your own homemade salted caramel can elevate the pie’s flavor to another level. Homemade is always a welcome addition if you have the time!
This Salted Caramel Banana Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a delightful journey of textures and tastes. The crisp, salty-sweet Nutter Butter crust provides a fantastic foundation, complementing the creamy, rich banana custard. Each bite offers a perfect balance: the deep banana flavor, the luscious caramel, and the light, airy whipped cream. It’s the kind of pie that begs to be shared, creating memorable moments with every serving. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a special occasion, or simply a treat for yourself, this pie consistently earns rave reviews.
Speaking of welcome, I’d love for you to pop on over to Mariah’s Pleasing Plates and say hello sometime. Connecting with fellow food lovers is one of my greatest joys!
Connect with Mariah:
Pinterest. Instagram. Blog. Twitter. Facebook
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Pie
Does Banana Cream Pie Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes, banana cream pie, especially with fresh bananas and dairy-based custard and whipped cream, absolutely needs to be refrigerated. It contains perishable ingredients that can spoil quickly at room temperature. Prompt refrigeration is key to maintaining its freshness, flavor, and food safety.
How Long Will Banana Cream Pie Keep in the Refrigerator?
Freshly made banana cream pie will typically keep for about 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. To ensure it stays fresh and delicious, make sure it is loosely covered. An airtight container might cause condensation, which can make the crust soggy. A pie dome or loose plastic wrap is ideal.
Can You Freeze Banana Cream Pie?
Unfortunately, banana cream pie generally does not freeze well. The custard filling and fresh banana slices can become watery and mushy upon thawing, affecting the texture and overall quality of the pie. The whipped cream topping can also separate and lose its smooth consistency. It’s best enjoyed fresh!
How Long Will Homemade Whipped Cream Keep?
Homemade whipped cream will typically keep for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While it may lose some of its stiffness over time, a quick whisk before serving can often help to reincorporate it and restore some of its fluffy texture.
Salted Caramel Banana Pie Recipe
Salted Caramel Banana Pie
Ingredients
Nutter Butter Crust:
- 25 Nutter Butter Cookies, finely crushed into crumbs (blend in food processor/blender)
- 5 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
Banana Filling:
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, divided
- 4 Large Bananas, ripe
- 2 1/2 Cups Half and Half
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 6 Egg Yolks
- Pinch Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice, heaping, freshly squeezed
Banana Whipped Cream:
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tablespoon Banana Pudding Mix, Optional
- 1/4 Cup Store-bought Salted Caramel, for drizzling
Instructions
Nutter Butter Crust:
- In a bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and the melted butter.
- The mixture should resemble wet sand.
- Press firmly into a 9-inch pie pan with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Chill while you prepare the filling.
Banana Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter on medium heat.
- Peel and slice 2 of the bananas into 1/2-inch pieces and add to the saucepan.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bananas have begun to soften.
- While whisking continually, slowly drizzle in the half and half and continue whisking until completely incorporated.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat and cover.
- Allow the mixture to cool for about 1 hour before using.
- Using a fine mesh strainer or kitchen sieve, strain the half and half mixture into a bowl.
- Do not press down on the bananas; discard them afterward.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and salt.
- Whisk in the cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly, while whisking constantly, drizzle the strained half and half mixture into the yolk mixture to temper it.
- Transfer the combined mixture back into a medium saucepan and cook for 7-9 minutes, whisking constantly until the custard is warmed throughout and reaches 180 degrees F.
- The custard should be notably thick! Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and the vanilla extract.
- Transfer the custard into a clean bowl and allow it to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Slice the remaining 3 bananas into ½-inch rounds and gently toss them with the fresh orange juice.
- Pour half of the cooled custard onto the prepared Nutter Butter crust and arrange the sliced bananas evenly over the top.
- Pour the remaining custard over the bananas, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Top generously with the banana whipped cream and drizzle with the salted caramel sauce.
- Refrigerate for 4-6 hours before serving to allow the pie to set completely and chill.
Banana Whipped Cream:
- Refrigerate a metal mixing bowl (and beaters, if possible) for 15 minutes before using. This helps the cream whip up faster and firmer.
- In the cold metal bowl, combine the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Beat for 45 seconds on low speed, then add in the optional banana pudding mix.
- Increase to high speed and continue beating for about 3 minutes, or until stiff peaks begin to form. Be careful not to overbeat, or it will turn granular.
Recipe Notes
The total refrigeration time for this dessert is 5-6 hours, plus an additional 1.5 hours for cooling the banana-infused half and half mixture and the custard itself. Plan your preparation accordingly to allow ample time for chilling before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Approximation)
Serving: 1g, Calories: 555kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 192mg, Sodium: 198mg, Potassium: 299mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 33g, Vitamin A: 1075IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 101mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Other Popular Recipes:
Skinny Banana Pie Protein Shake
Skinny Banana Rum Raisin Bread
Snickerdoodle Banana Bars