Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie

Oh my, oh my this is quite the pie. Who says you have to have birthday cake when you can have a birthday pie! Now this Birthday Boy doesn't look the least bit unhappy does he.

This pie's made particularly special with a layer of bittersweet chocolate ganache next to the chocolate wafer crust. Before you say the obvious, yes I took the easy route and bought a ready made crust; however, it's just as easy to whip one up if you can find the chocolate wafers that is. I know I could have made it using oreo cookies but then I'd have to eat the rest of the package and all that yummy cream filling and this seemed much more calorically responsible.Good excuse isn't it when I was really just too darn lazy. Ha.

As for the rest of the pie - loads of bananas next to the rich chocolatey ganache topped with the the most perfect vanilla pastry cream all crowned with rum flavored whipped cream - well neither one of us could find a single thing to complain about.

You try it and tell me if you can come up with anything, OK?

Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie (adapted from Bon Appetit)

1 ready made chocolate wafer crust or your favorite recipe

Pastry Cream:

1-1/2 cups half and half

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Bring half and half to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Do not boil. Meanwhile whisk together sugar and flour, then add eggs. Beat well to combine. Whisk in hot half and half gradually to temper the eggs, the return everything to the pot. Continue cooking whisking constantly until mixture thickens and large “blurp” bubbles come to the surface. Let it “blurp” bubbles for 1 minute but be sure not to scorch it. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Remove to a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry cream. Chill until cold (about 2 hours).

Ganache:

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 ounces bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat cream and butter over medium heat until butter is melted and cream is hot. Do not boil. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Pour ganache onto chocolate wafer crust and chill until firm (about 30 minutes). * Note – do not increase the amount of chocolate because otherwise the ganache will be too hard to cut and pie must be served cold.

To finish pie:

4 large ripe bananas

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered icing sugar

1 tablespoon light rum

Slice bananas and place over chocolate ganache. Whisk pastry cream until smooth and spread cream evenly over bananas. Refrigerate until pastry cream is set – about 3 hours. Mix cream, powdered sugar and rum together then whip until cream is stiff. Pile or pipe cream on top of pie. Garnish pie with sliced bananas or grated chocolate. Download Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie

Comments

[Nancy]

I have found something to complain about - he/you didn't share the pie with me. It looks very decadent and delicious.

[June]

Hee,hee,hee. I'm not sure the pie's up to the trip! It is pretty darn yummy!

[Nanan]

The big guy's smile says it all!!! I know what I want for my birthday!!!!!! I love all the ingredients - for sure!!!!

[June]

Lea - isn't he a riot! Poor guy - it's been a long time since I made him one. It was a favorite when we were first married.

[Sophia]

I can see why he married you...at least one of the MANY reasons!! He looks thrilled. And so darn skinny! Love to you both.

[June]

Sophia - you're a sweetie. I sure hope the reasons are still valid. He is skinny - guess that's what happens when you work out on the elliptical for an hour a day. Yikes - it doesn't work that way for me (not that I can do an hour mind you)!

[Mary from Apron Strings & Wedding Rings]

OMG! Big Guy is one lucky guy! - Mary L.

[June]

Mary - I like to remind him of that on occasion. Ha.