–

This is a WOW pie. A close your eyes, savor and say M-mmm-m-mmm, pie. Seriously, this is some kinda pie. The funny thing is, I am not a huge fan of bananas……..or vanilla pudding, for that matter. But……this pie…can you tell I am a little crazy about this pie? Ok, so I saw a version of this pie on the Food Network. It’s one that Wolfgang Puck makes. I was impressed by how pretty it was and knew I had to make one similar. My version has a chocolate brownie crust. I also just used a Jello instant pudding mix, instead of making pastry cream from scratch. I do have a great recipe for pastry cream, though. So, we have a brownie crust and layers of banana slices and pudding, topped with whip cream, shaved chocolate and drizzled with creamy caramel. You will love this pie.

Extreme Banana Cream Pie

Crust:  approx. 4 or 5 brownies, pressed into a 9″ pie plate (a square pan will work too)
If you don’t have any brownies, you could use your favorite cookie crust

Filling: 1 large box (5.1 oz) Jello instant vanilla pudding mix.
prepare as directed on box, except use 2 1/2 cups of milk instead of the 3 cups called for. (you don’t want your pudding too soft)

– 4 bananas, sliced in 1/2″ chunks
– Caramel sauce (store bought is ok) or you can make my recipe, found in my Recipes index
– Shaved bittersweet chocolate, as much as you like
– whipped cream, as much as you like

Make the pudding according to package directions, using only 2 1/2 cups of milk, rather than the 3 cups called for. Chill. In the meantime, just break apart some brownies and press your brownies into a pie plate or square casserole dish, so the plate is covered.

Cover the crust with banana slices. Spread bananas with pudding. Add another layer of bananas. Spread with pudding, covering bananas completely. Top with a mound of whipped cream. Chop or shave some good chocolate and sprinkle on top of the whipped cream. Drizzle with a bit of caramel sauce. You can add more caramel to individual slices.

LOVE, LOVE