Every year, I try out a new pie to go along with my traditional line up for Pie Night and Thanksgiving.
When I first read this recipe, I thought- this is it, Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie is the newbie for 2011. It’s a combo of a few of my favorites: vanilla custard, chocolate custard, banana and whipped cream. One of those recipes you read and know it’s a winner. Oh my goodness. I was right. Again.
I’m signing off till after Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Thanksgiving has always been my favorite time of year. I love the gatherings. The food. The time to reflect on blessings. Here are a few things I’m grateful for this past year…

Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs about 7 ounces
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Filling and Topping:
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 1-2 medium bananas sliced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
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Make the crust. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar, cinnamon, slat and melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs evenly into a 9- to 10-inch, deep-dish glass or ceramic pie plate. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned and set. Let cool completely.
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Meanwhile, make the filling in a large saucepan (preferably with a rounded bottom), combine the granulated sugar with the cornstarch, egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the milk and whisk until smooth. whisk in the remaining 2 cups of milk and cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until the custard is very thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is melted. Pour half o the vanilla custard into a medium bowl.
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Whisk the copped chocolate into the custard in the saucepan until it is melted. Spread the chocolate custard evenly in the pie crust and top with the sliced bananas. Carefully spread the vanilla custard over the bananas. Refrigerate the banana cream pie until it is well chilled, at least 6 hours and preferably overnight.
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In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream with the confectioners' sugar until it is softly whipped. Mound the whipped cream on top of the pie. Garnish the banana cream pie with chocolate shavings and serve.
Recipe Notes
-To make ahead, prepare the crust a few days early and the custard the day before serving. Then put it all together early on Thanksgiving day. All it has to do is sit in the fridge and rest until you are done stuffing yourself with the big feast, and are ready for dessert.
A. Annaliese is very honored that her picture is now on your blog.
B. Blogging instead of watching the game? (…oh, you want to get it out of the way before BYU plays at 8. I get it.)
C. What are you THINKING posting that deliciousness with chocolate AND bananas… And me thinking I had the menu for Thursday all planned. Sheesh.
I LOVE this post.
i should try that pie.
sounds heavenly.
This looks wonderful. Don't you love Thanksgiving? It's my favorite holiday.
Love the witch and the monkey! Favorite people of mine and the pie sounds yummy!!
Thank you of letting us in your friends and family life.They all seem a great people that make you life happy and colorful:)
Oh thank you so much for the wonderful picture you posted! Ha, we love you!
Thank you for the glimpse of your family and friends. I love the pie you have shared with us today. I love to visit your blog. I never leave empty handed and always enjoy the time I spend here. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I made this pie for Thanksgiving….should have made two. Hands down the favorite of the day and second fav was the apple cranberry pie. Oh so delicious and very easy…bang for your buck that's for sure. Thanks again, Si!!!
I just made this pie, because you know, it is Saturday and I survived the week! My husband put the kids down and I made the pie and we were so excited to eat it, we ate it warm, right after I put it together. Amazing! I can’t wait to try it tomorrow chilled too!
My new favorite pie!
Tori, I’m glad you loved this pie! It is such a great combination of chocolate and banana. Now I want A slice!
This is honestly my very favorite pie. I’m bringing it to thanksgiving dinner this week because it’s a necessity.
Trisha,
I’m glad you like this pie. Was it a hit at your Thanksgiving feast? I hope you had a fantastic holiday!
xo,
Si