Banana Cream Pie

🥘 Ingredients

• heavy cream 4 cups
• whole milk 1 ½ cups
• granulated sugar 1 ½ cups
• vanilla bean 1
• egg yolks 3 large
• eggs 2 large
• cornstarch ½ cup
• graham cracker crust 1
• (6 to 7) banana 3 lbs
• granulated sugar 2 tsp
• vanilla ½ tsp

1. 1

   Combine 2 cups heavy cream , the whole milk , 1/2 cup granulated sugar , and vanilla bean and seeds in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.
2. 2

   Combine egg yolks , eggs , cornstarch , and 1 cup sugar in a medium bowl; whisk until pale yellow in color. Set aside.
3. 3

   Whisk 1 cup hot cream mixture into egg yolk mixture. Gradually add egg mixture to hot cream mixture, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly with a large wooden spoon to cook out cornstarch and thicken mixture, about 5 minutes . (The mixture may separate slightly; if it does, remove from heat and beat with an electric mixer until thick and smooth.) Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl . Cover with plastic wrap , pressing down against surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in refrigerator about 4 hours .
4. 4

   To assemble, spread 1/2 cup custard over bottom of prepared graham cracker crust , smoothing with the back of a large spoon or rubber spatula . Arrange enough (6 to 7) banana slices (not quite one-third of them) in a tight, tiled pattern over custard, pressing down with hands to pack them firmly. Repeat to build a second layer, using 3/4 cup custard and enough bananas to cover, smoothing down layer evenly. For third layer, spread 3/4 cup custard over bananas and top with remaining bananas, starting 1 inch from outer edge and working toward center. Spread 1 cup custard evenly over bananas to prevent discoloration. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. 5

   Whip remaining 2 cups heavy cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Add remaining 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and vanilla extract and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
6. 6

   Remove pie from refrigerator. Fill a pastry bag with whipped cream and pipe onto pie. (Alternately, spread whipped cream evenly over pie.) With a sharp knife dipped in hot water, cut pie into 10 equal slices. Transfer slices to dessert plates. Serve.