This banana cream dessert is a decadent banana dessert that has a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy banana custard layer topped with homemade whipped cream and slices of bananas. The flavor combination is simply irresistible.
If you love banana cream, this is the dessert for you! I took my banana cream pie recipe and turned it into bars for the ultimate party snack or dessert! The recipe I used to create this bar variation is one that I’ve been making for years, and every single time I serve it, everyone comes back for more. I love how easy it is to make and how much family and friends adore the taste. When my kids lived at home, I made the pie version for dessert and afternoon snacking the next day. Now that they’ve gone out into the great big world, I still make it for dessert, but what I really love to do is reserve it for special occasions.
Banana Cream Dessert
This decadent dessert starts with a buttery, homemade graham cracker crust that I bake until it’s golden brown. Then, I top it with a rich, homemade banana custard and let it chill until it’s cold and nicely set. Finally, I top it with homemade whipped cream and sliced bananas so that each bar has a banana slice on top when I cut it. It’s a super easy recipe that’s rich, creamy, delicious, and oh, so easy.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Cream Dessert Recipe
- It’s made with three delicious layers: a buttery graham cracker crust, a banana custard pudding, and homemade whipped cream.
- It’s a homemade banana dessert that is easy to make, and the whole family will enjoy it.
- It is a delicious dessert perfect for parties, potlucks, family gatherings, or as an after-dinner dessert recipe.
Banana Cream Dessert Ingredients
Every layer of this recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find in your kitchen or your local grocery store. The ingredients are all basic kitchen staples available in any grocery store.
Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Melted butter
- Granulated sugar
Banana Cream Custard
- Whole milk
- Large egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Banana extract
Whipped Cream Topping
- Heavy whipping cream
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Bananas
How to Make Banana Cream Dessert
Making this delicious dessert is super easy. If you can use a saucepan, you can make this recipe. It’s beginner-friendly, and it comes together quickly. In fact, the longest part of the recipe is simply letting the custard chill.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 11×7 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Crust
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a medium bowl until the mixture is sand-like and clumps together.
Step 3: Bake
Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish firmly with the back of a measuring cup and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool.
Step 4: Make the Custard
Whisk the egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and ¼ cup milk in a mixing bowl and set aside. Mix the sugar and remaining 2 ¾ cups of milk in a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat, pour half the milk mixture into the eggs, and whisk. Then, pour the egg and milk mixture into the pot. Stir in the banana extract and continue stirring until the custard thickens.
Step 5: Chill
Spoon the custard onto the crust and spread it into an even layer. Press plastic wrap or parchment paper directly onto the custard, ensuring that the entire top is covered. Chill for 2 to 3 hours.
Step 6: Make the Whipped Cream
Beat the heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
Step 7: Decorate
Using a piping bag or gallon-size Ziploc baggie with a corner snipped off, pipe the whipped cream on top of the custard. Then, top with sliced bananas.
Recipe Tips
- Whisk continuously as you add the heated milk mixture to the eggs. This helps keep the eggs from curdling as you temper them.
- Remove the milk and sugar mixture from the heat as soon as it begins to simmer. You don’t want it to be too hot.
- Stir the custard mixture continuously so it creates a super smooth texture as it cools.
- Be sure your plastic wrap or parchment paper is pressed against the entire custard surface to prevent the formation of skin.
Variations
- Use different extracts to make different custard flavors.
- Try adding sweetened, shredded coconut for banana coconut custard.
- You can use whipped topping or cool whip if you prefer.
- Use crushed Nilla wafers in place of graham crackers for the crust.
What to Serve with Banana Cream Dessert
Fresh fruit is always a wonderful pairing with these bars. You can also serve them as part of a larger dessert table at gatherings and parties.
Recipe FAQ
Banana cream pudding is a custard, and like all custards, it’s made with milk, eggs, sugar, and cornstarch as the base. The banana flavor comes from banana extract.
Yes, you can. In fact, it’s better! Make this dessert, then refrigerate it for up to 2 days before serving it.
Custard is generally thickened with cornstarch. The cornstarch thickens the custard as it’s heated without adding any additional flavor.
Yes, it does. Banana cream is made with milk and eggs, so it should always be refrigerated.
Freezing these bars is not recommended. The custard will break when it defrosts.
How to Store Leftover Banana Cream Dessert
Refrigerate these bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Serve cold.
Try This Delicious Banana Cream Dessert Recipe Today
This banana cream dessert takes classic banana cream pie and transforms it into fun single-serve bars that everyone can grab as they see fit! They’re rich, creamy, and delicious, and the best part is they’re so easy to make. Give this dessert a try, and you’ll be looking for reasons to make it again and again.
More Delicious Banana Dessert Recipes You’ll Enjoy!
This Banana Cake is a delicious two layer banana cake that is frosted with a delicious cream cheese frosting that is absolutely scrumptious, and is a family favorite.
Banana Cream Dessert
Ingredients
Banana Cream Filling
- 3 cups milk, divided
- 5 egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons banana extract
Homemade Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 bananas, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 11×7 baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
Graham Cracker Crust
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Mix until well combined and mixture is a sand-like texture that clumps together.
- Pour crust mixture into prepared baking dish and press down with the back of a measuring cup.
- Bake crust in oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
Banana Cream Filling
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and ¼ cup of milk. Set aside.
- In a large pot, mix together sugar and remaining 2 ¾ cups of milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once mixture comes to a simmer, turn off heat and pour half into the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine well and then pour into the pot with remaining milk and sugar mixture. Stir in banana extract until well combined.
- Stir well until custard thickens.
- Spoon custard into crust and spread evenly.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of custard, pressing down lightly to cover the entire pie filling.
- Place in the fridge to cool and set up for 2-3 hours.
Homemade Whipped Cream
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Using a piping bag or gallon size ziplock baggie, pipe whipped cream on top of custard and then top with sliced bananas.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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