Nothing beats the sweet comfort of a classic dessert that comes together quickly and tastes like pure indulgence. This Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe is exactly that—rich, creamy, with just the right crunch and naturally sweet bananas. It’s one of those recipes I happily turn to whenever I want to impress without breaking a sweat.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Banoffee pie might sound fancy, but I promise this version makes it easy and approachable. I remember bringing this to a friends’ gathering and watching it disappear within minutes. There’s something magical about how the buttery crust, gooey dulce de leche, and fresh bananas all harmonize under a cloud of whipped cream.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh bananas, so no hunting for weird components.
- Quick Prep: The crust bakes fast and the pie sets with minimal hands-on time.
- Show-Stopping Flavor: Combines gooey caramel and fluffy whipped cream that’ll wow guests.
- Versatile Dessert: Perfect for casual family dinners or fancy afternoon tea.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a key role, from the crunchy, buttery crust to the luxuriously smooth dulce de leche. I love that it all comes together so simply and lets the fresh bananas shine through. Pro tip: Use good quality dulce de leche for that amazing caramel flavor without extra fuss.
- Graham cracker crumbs: They create the perfect crispy base that’s buttery and holds together well without being too dense.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the buttery crust with just a hint of sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds the crust crumbs and adds rich flavor.
- Dulce de leche: This creamy caramel layer is the star—look for canned dulce de leche or make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Bananas: Choose ripe but firm bananas so they don’t get mushy under the whipped cream.
- Heavy cream or heavy whipping cream: Cold cream whips beautifully into fluffy peaks to top the pie.
- Confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to the whipped cream without overpowering.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the whipped cream with warm, comforting notes.
- Optional toppings: Chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or toffee bits add texture and extra fun.
Make It Your Way
What I love most is how easy it is to personalize this pie. You can tweak the layers to suit your taste or occasion, making it feel like your own signature dessert. Don’t be shy about switching up a few things!
- Variation: I sometimes add a sprinkle of espresso powder to the dulce de leche for a mocha twist—it gives the pie an unexpected depth that’s delightful.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
Step 1: Craft the Perfect Crust
I start by grinding my graham crackers into fine crumbs if they aren’t pre-crushed—using a food processor or blender works like a charm. Mix those crumbs with sugar, then pour in melted butter. Stir until you get a thick, sandy texture—if you see any big clumps, just give them a smash with your spoon or fingers. Press this crumb mixture gently into a 9-inch pie dish, spreading it evenly on the bottom and up the sides. I like using a small measuring cup to smooth it out, but watch out for over-packing: you want it compact but not rock hard. Baking it for 15 minutes seals the crust so it holds all those luscious layers.
Step 2: Whip Your Way to Cloud-Soft Cream
While the crust cools, I whip up the cream. Make sure your heavy cream is cold—it whips up much faster that way. Add sugar and vanilla, then beat on medium-high until you see medium peaks forming. Medium peaks mean when you lift the whisk, the cream holds its shape but still dips a bit—perfect for spreading and piping. Avoid whipping too much; otherwise, it’ll get grainy and start turning buttery.
Step 3: Layer With Love
Spread the dulce de leche generously over the warm crust (not hot, or it might melt the cream later). Arrange the sliced bananas in one or two beautiful layers right on top. Then crown it all with your fluffy whipped cream. For me, this is the part where the magic really comes alive—the fragrant bananas and caramel mingle under that cloud of cream, creating a dreamy bite every time.
Step 4: Chill and Garnish
Pop your pie into the fridge, uncovered, for at least 2 hours to set everything perfectly. Before serving, add any garnishes like chocolate shavings or toffee bits for that extra wow factor. This pie actually tastes better the next day, so if you can wait, it’s worth it.
Top Tip
Over time, I've learned a few little tricks that make my Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe absolutely foolproof and even more delicious. These tips come straight from my kitchen experiments (and happy taste testers!).
- Chill the bowl and beaters: For the whipped cream, pop the mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before whipping to speed up the process and get better volume.
- Use ripe but firm bananas: This way, the slices hold their shape and don’t turn mushy or brown too quickly under the cream.
- Don’t overpack the crust: Press the crumbs firmly but gently; too much pressure makes the crust too hard and less enjoyable to eat.
- Cover when chilling: Although the recipe says chill uncovered initially, if your fridge is very dry, lightly tent with plastic wrap after the first hour so the whipped cream doesn’t absorb fridge odors or dry out.
How to Serve Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I stick with simple pleasures: a handful of dark chocolate shavings on top adds richness, while chopped toasted pecans or walnuts bring a lovely crunch. Toffee bits are fun if you want that extra caramel crunch. Just sprinkle lightly so you don’t overpower the creamy layers.
Side Dishes
This pie shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a lightly brewed black tea to balance the sweetness. For an extra special touch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side rounds out the dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve served this pie in small individual jars for intimate gatherings and found it just as impressive. Layering the crust, dulce de leche, bananas, and whipped cream in parfait glasses makes an elegant single-serve option, especially great for parties or when you want to skip slicing the pie!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always cover leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or a pie container and keep it refrigerated. It holds up wonderfully for up to five days, and the flavors even meld better overnight. Just slice gently when serving again to keep the layers intact.
Freezing
Freezing this pie isn’t my go-to because the whipped cream doesn’t freeze well—it gets watery and grainy on thawing. However, you can freeze the baked crust separately for up to a month and build the layers fresh when you’re ready.
Reheating
Since this pie is served cold, reheating isn’t really needed. If you do want to warm up the crust, gently heat just the bottom crust in the oven for 3-5 minutes before assembling the pie layers for a toastier flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While a pre-made crust can speed things up, using a graham cracker crust gives that signature sweet crunch that pairs perfectly with bananas and dulce de leche. If pressed for time, you can buy ready-made graham cracker crust in stores and build the layers on top.
Store leftover banoffee pie covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping it chilled lets the flavors deepen and keeps the whipped cream fresh. Make sure to cover it well to prevent the pie from absorbing any fridge odors.
Yes, you can swap in a good-quality store-bought caramel sauce if you don’t have dulce de leche on hand. Just make sure it’s thick and not too runny. If it’s a bit thin, chill it before spreading to avoid the crust getting soggy.
Slicing bananas just before assembling the pie helps, but if you want extra protection, brush the slices lightly with lemon juice to slow browning. Also, chilling the pie promptly after assembly keeps the bananas fresh and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe has become my go-to for sweet celebrations and casual weekends alike because it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and indulgence. You really get that satisfying crunch from the crust combined with the creamy caramel and fresh banana slices—then topped with luscious whipped cream. Give it a try—it’s friendly enough for beginners but impressive enough to make you look like a pro in the kitchen. Once you taste it, I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your dessert rotation, just like it did in mine!
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Easy Banoffee Pie with Whipped Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Banoffee Pie features a crunchy graham cracker crust, a luscious layer of dulce de leche, fresh banana slices, and a fluffy whipped cream topping. It’s an irresistible dessert that’s simple to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 and ½ cups (180g) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheet graham crackers)
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
Filling and Topping
- 1 and ¼ cups dulce de leche
- 2 large bananas, sliced
- 2 cups (480ml) cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or toffee bits for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). If using full graham crackers, grind them into fine crumbs with a food processor or blender. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar, then stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles thick, coarse sand. Break up any large chunks.
- Shape the crust: Pour the crumb mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie dish. Using medium pressure, pat the crumbs evenly into the bottom and up the sides to form a compact crust, avoiding heavy packing to keep it from becoming too hard. Use a small flat-bottomed measuring cup to help press and smooth the surface. Run a spoon along the bottom edge corner to create a rounded crust that won’t easily fall apart.
- Bake the crust: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Once done, remove and cool the crust for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Prepare the whipped cream: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the cold heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are firmer than soft peaks but not stiff, perfect for topping desserts.
- Assemble the pie: Spread the dulce de leche evenly over the cooled crust. Arrange the banana slices in one or two layers on top of the dulce de leche. Then spread the whipped cream evenly over the bananas.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled pie uncovered for at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Before serving, decorate with optional toppings such as chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or toffee bits. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This banoffee pie is easy to prepare and combines a crunchy crust with sweet, creamy, and fruity layers.
- Do not press the crust mixture too hard when shaping to avoid a tough texture.
- Medium peaks for whipped cream means the cream holds shape but still has some softness—ideal for piping and spreading.
- Use fresh bananas sliced just before assembling to prevent browning.
- The pie can be made a day ahead, allowing flavors to meld perfectly.
- Optional toppings add texture and visual appeal—choose your favorites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛ pie)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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