She Strengthens

Banana Bliss Pie: A Classic Southern Treat

Get ready to indulge in a sweet and creamy masterpiece that’s sure to impress! This Banana Bliss Pie is a twist on the classic Southern Living recipe, featuring a crunchy vanilla wafer crust, a velvety smooth custard filling, and a fluffy meringue topping.

The Perfect Crust

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch pie dish. You’ll need 1 (12-ounce) box of vanilla-flavored wafer-style cookies, preferably Nilla Wafers, and 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted. Pulse the cookies in a food processor until coarsely crushed, then mix with the melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the pie dish, making sure to cover the bottom, sides, and lip. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned, then let cool completely.

Creamy Custard Filling

Next, combine 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 4 large egg yolks, and 2 cups of whole milk in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk until smooth, then cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of chilled pudding, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.

Assembling the Pie

Arrange 2 large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced medium-thin, evenly over the cooled crust. Spread half of the warm filling over the bananas, followed by 20 reserved cookies. Top with the remaining filling, making sure to spread it evenly and not worrying if it seems like too much – it will rise about 1/4 inch higher than the crust’s top edge.

Fluffy Meringue Topping

Using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat 4 large egg whites on high speed until foamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form and the sugar has dissolved. Spread the meringue evenly over the pie filling, making sure to cover the entire surface and seal the edges.

Baking and Chilling

Bake the pie at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the meringue topping is golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours.

Serving and Enjoying

Once chilled, slice and serve this Banana Bliss Pie to your friends and family. With its crunchy crust, creamy filling, and fluffy meringue topping, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering!