Sunday, November 2, 2008

You Want Pies with That? Fashion Edition, Southern Style- Banana Pudding Pie


I know absolutely nothing about Fashion.

So when I saw that this month's theme was Fashion, for You Want Pies with That?, I was stumped. The only thing I could think of was taking a dessert/pie that could represent " a little black dress" (traditional, familiar, standard, etc- you see where I am going with this, right?) and adding a little pizzazz to it. We had some visitors over for dinner and I was doing a Southern Meal, so looking through one of my Southern Living cookbooks, I found this twist on Banana Pudding. Banana Pudding is a traditional southern dessert that is usually vanilla custard, layered with sliced bananas and Vanilla Wafers and topped with meringue. This "twist" is turning Banana Pudding into a pie, by adding a Nilla Wafer crust and layering the pudding ingredients in the pie. Sorry if you think this is lame, but it was the best I could come up with! And if it makes you feel any better, the pie was delicious!

This was a hit with our visitors and hopefully fits as a Fashion Statement- taking a simple, traditional dessert and turning it into a "fashionable" pie!




Banana Pudding Pie from Southern Living
Prep: 20 min.; Bake: 24 min.; Cool: 1 hr., 30 min.; Chill: 4 hr.
Hang on to your egg yolks--you'll be using them in the
*Vanilla Cream Filling
1 (12-oz.) box vanilla wafers, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large bananas, sliced
Meringue
4 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar

1. Set aside 30 vanilla wafers; pulse remaining vanilla wafers in a food processor 8 to 10 times or until coarsely crushed. (Yield should be about 2 1/2 cups.) Stir together crushed vanilla wafers and butter until blended. Firmly press on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a 9-inch pieplate.
2. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack, and let cool 30 minutes or until completely cool.
3. Arrange banana slices evenly over bottom of crust. Prepare *Vanilla Cream Filling, and spread half of hot filling over bananas; top with 20 vanilla wafers. Spread remaining hot filling over vanilla wafers. (Filling will be about 1/4 inch higher than top edge of crust.)
4. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves. Spread meringue evenly over hot filling, sealing the edges.
5. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and let cool 1 hour on a wire rack or until completely cool. Coarsely crush remaining 10 vanilla wafers, and sprinkle evenly over top of pie. Chill 4 hours.

*Vanilla Cream Filling
Prep: 5 min., Cook: 10 min.
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
4 egg yolks
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until it reaches the thickness of chilled pudding. (Mixture will just begin to bubble and will be thick enough to hold soft peaks when whisk is lifted.) Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Use immediately.

Coming Tomorrow- Cooking Light Night--Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta

22 comments:

Ashley said...

Hi, Mary Ann. You recently left a comment on my blog that I really really appreciated. You look very familiar. Did you happen to live in Athens, Georgia around 2002-2003? I think we may have lived in the same tri-plex? I could be totally wrong. At the time you had a baby boy? Am I close? LOL.

Maria said...

what a nice looking pie! I love bananna!

Maria said...

what a nice looking pie! I love bananna!

Alexa said...

Now, this is something I have never made. You make it look so wonderful. Those pictures are mouthwatering!

Carrie said...

Banana pudding is my all-time favorite dessert! This looks yummylicious! I can't wait to make it!

Ralonda said...

This would be a hit in my house! Looks absolutely yummy!

Mary Ann said...

Ashley- I totally remember you! Thanks for stopping by.

Maria- It was delish!

Alexa- You should try it. I would love to see your version!

Carrie- if you love banana pudding, you will love this pie!

Ralonda- my kids gobbled it down. I am sure yours would do the same!

Tammy said...

fabulous! that looks delicious! I found this one hard too

Meg said...

This looks absolutely amazing! I will have to try this one!

You Want Pies With That? said...

Looks pretty and like a fun version to me! Thanks for going for it. Banana pudding pie is one of my most favorites!

Holly @ PheMOMenon

Mary Ann said...

tammy- I just went by your blog and your idea is totally cute! Great job!

Meg- you will love it! Super tasty! Thanks for checking it out!

Holly- Thanks for the nice words. This was a hard theme for me. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

The Food Librarian said...

This looks great!! And it so fits with the theme. I would totally wear this if it were a dress :) I'm going to bake mine tomorrow...

Anne said...

That looks wonderful Mary Ann- wow!

Prudy said...

Mary Ann:
That's one delicious looking pie and a famously delicious flavor combo for sure.

Lauren said...

I had a hard time with the theme, too. But yours looks lovely and delicious- YUM!

Susie Homemaker said...

I cannot let my father hear about this pie. Ever.
Great adaptation of a great pudding!

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmm, nana puddin. My sister is a total banana pudding fiend. I'm definitely sending her a link to your recipe.

Alpineberry Mary said...

I love the creative twist on the classic banana pudding. I'm sure the pie was yummy!

Heather B said...

Looks delicious! I love banana pudding so making it as a pie is a great idea! I make my pudding with whipped cream instead of a meringue but yours looks tasty! Great job on this challenge!

Jacque said...

It looks positively sinful! What a great idea, I think I would love it.

Gabi said...

Great twist on the classic! I love banana pudding but never get (my mom was allergic to bananas and my DH doen't like them) so I'll have to live vicariously through you! :)
xo

Bungalow Barbara said...

Lovely pie! I can even visualize this pie as a summer dress -- yellow-and-white checked mini-gingham with white ruffles and rickrack.