Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Okay, you have to promise me one thing. You will make this pie at least once in your life. But I have to warn you, once you do it will consume your thoughts and leave you craving it for at least a week. It is so silky smooth and creamy and your natural reaction will be to close your eyes and savor every bite with a half smile on your face, just like they do in those cheesy commercials. I know it's too late for Thanksgiving, but I can guarantee you'll reach rock star status if this shows up on your Christmas dinner menu!

Crust:
2 cups crushed graham crackers (or malt biscuits if you're a kiwi cook)
⅓ C melted butter

Preheat oven to 400. Mix together then press into a 9 inch pie pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Filling:
2 C milk (2%)
1 C heavy cream
¾ cup white sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 tsp vanilla
 2-3 bananas

When the crust is cooled, slice bananas in a single layer on the bottom. Then for the filling, pour the milk and cream into a microwave safe bowl and scald by microwaving it for 3 1/2 minutes, place a wooden spoon in the bowl to prevent boiling. In a large pot on medium heat, combine the scalded milk, sugar, flour and salt and whisk together over medium heat until well combined. Continue to whisk until the sauce starts to thicken up to create a pudding like texture then reduce heat to low. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and add in a tablespoon of pudding mixture and stir in order to temper the eggs and avoid any curdling. Add in a few more tablespoons, stir then add it into the pudding. Continue stirring over low heat for a few more minutes then remove from heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla and mix until well combined. Pour the pudding over the sliced bananas then cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Topping:
1 pint heavy whipping cream
¼-1/2 C powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
shaved chocolate

Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, add the powdered sugar and vanilla and continue beating until well combined. Spread on top cooled pie and garnish with shaved chocolate, then slice and serve.

*Source: bsinthekitchen