Just the Right Size Banana Cream Pie

Just about right for 4 people. This recipe is a classic pudding on a shortbread crust. Blows 'nilla wafers out of the water! Actually this sounds a lot harder than it is.

• Ready In: 49 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 1 Pie

Ingredients

• For the crust

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3 cup white sugar
• 1  pinch salt
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened

• for the pudding

• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄2 cup sugar (more if desired)
• 1  pinch salt
• 5  egg yolks
• 3⁄4 cup heavy cream
• 3⁄4 cup  whole milk
• 1  tablespoon butter, softened
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• to finish the filling

• 2  medium bananas, ripe but still firm
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons  orange juice

• the final topping

• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream (or more if desired)
• 1  tablespoon confectioners' sugar
• 1  dash pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine crust ingredients into a bowl, mix until just combined, press into bottom and 1/2 up the sides of a greased 8" springform pan.
3. Poke with fork.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
5. Remove from oven and cool on a rack until room temperature.
6. Combine sugar, salt, cornstarch in a medium pan, whisk to combine.
7. Add egg yolks, cream and milk.
8. Whisk lightly to combine.
9. Place pan over medium heat, stir occasionally.
10. When the mixture starts to steam stir it constantly, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan.
11. At this point you can add more sugar if the custard is not sweet enough for your tastes Continue to cook until pudding is about the thickness of mayonnaise.
12. Remove from heat, whisk in butter and vanilla.
13. Pour mixture into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap so the wrap is in contact with the top of the pudding.
14. Allow to cool.
15. When pudding mixture is cool, slice bananas into 3/8" slices and toss in orange/lemon juice mixture.
16. drain well and dry off bananas on paper towel.
17. Layer pudding and bananas on the prebaked crust.
18. Place in fridge to set-up for several hours.
19. For the topping, immediately before serving.
20. In a chilled bowl with chilled mixers, beat heavy cream until soft mounds form.
21. Add sugar and vanilla.
22. Beat until stiff peaks form.
23. Serve pie with a large dollop of cream on top.
24. Best when served the same day, but will keep 2 or three days in the fridge.