Banana Creme Pie

A favorite thanksgiving pie in my house is my Magnolia Bakery-Inspired Banana Creme Pie. With layers of banana, vanilla cookies, and decadent whipped pudding goodness, it’s a perfect treat to close out the day (and an even better leftover).

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 (14oz) can of Condensed Milk 

• 1 ½ cups of cold water

• 1 (5.1oz) box of family size instant vanilla pudding 

• NOTE: You can use the smaller 3.4oz pack, the filling will just be a little looser.

• 2 Cups of Heavy Cream

• 2-4 Bananas, cut into slices. Feel free to use more or less depending on preference

• 1/4th of a standard Nilla Wafers box

Crust

• 3/4ths of a standard Nilla Wafers box, crushed to a borderline powder. Some small chucks are okay.

• Half a stick of Unsalted Butter, melted

• Pinch of salt

Steps

Filling pt. 1

1. Mix condensed milk and water in a medium bowl until combined.

2. Add pudding mix and stir until combined

3. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure it’s in contact with the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.

4. Chill for 4 hours to overnight

   1. Recommend overnight for the most stable filling

Crust

1. Mix the crushed nilla wafers, salt and butter together in a medium bowl until it makes a dough. You want it to be able to stay together when squished in your hand. Feel free to add more or less butter if needed.

2. Press crust mixture into a pie pan or whatever dish you are using for this recipe. Make sure to press the mixture on the walls, corners, and bottom of the dish firmly for the most compact, strong crust.

3. Let chill in the fridge for at least 40 minutes before filling.

Filling pt. 2

1. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks aka until the cream can stand on its own, not changing shape when the bowl is tilted.

2. Add the cream to the pudding a third at a time, making sure to gently fold it in.

Assembly

1. Place a layer of cut bananas into the bottom of your dish.

2. Add ⅓ of  the cream-pudding mixture

3. Add more bananas plus some of the extra nilla wafers in a layer.

4. Add more cream-pudding mix

5. Repeat until you have no more pudding left/can’t physically add anymore 

1. Don’t be afraid of the pie being dome-shaped.

6. Put the pie in the fridge for at least 2 ½ hours, preferably closer to 4.

7. When ready to serve, top with any extra cookies, bananas, or even crust mixture and enjoy!

Fun Alternatives

• Instead of vanilla pudding mix, use chocolate, peanut butter, or even coffee flavored mix.

• Instead of Nilla Wafers use either golden or normal oreos throughout the recipe.

• You can use no crust and just have a delicious banana pudding!

• For this, I’d recommend whipping an extra cup of cream.