Description:
This luxurious pie is a sophisticated升级 to the classic banana pudding, featuring a buttery Nilla wafer crust, a whipped mousse-like filling, pecan caramel, and fluffy whipped cream. This high-altitude pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or dinner party.
Key Ingredients:
- Pie crust: A buttery_Nilla wafer crust that provides a satisfying crackle and sweet crunch.
- Pudding filling: A whipped mousse-like mixture of instant banana pudding mix and cold heavy cream, layered with sliced bananas and a richsalted caramel studded with pecans.
- Whipped cream: A generous layer of fluffy whipped cream on top for an irresistible, clouds-of-flight experience.
- Caramel: A jarred caramel sauce seasoned with salted nuts for an extra layer of depth and a sweet, salty contrast.
- Pecans: Adding texture and a bit of crunch with chopped salted pecans scattered throughout the caramel layer.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Shell:
- Choose a store-bought pie crust or make your own. If making your own, follow the recipe for a buttery_Nilla wafer crust, or use a food processor to pulse the Nilla wafers with salted butter until they form a fine breadcrumb consistency.
- Caramel Layer:
- Pour the jarred caramel sauce into a glass measuring cup and microwave until warm.
- Stir in chopped salted pecans and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Pour the warm caramel into the baked and cooled pie crust.
- Top with half of the sliced bananas and a substantial layer of the vanilla pudding cream.
- Repeat the banana and vanilla pudding cream layers, alternating the Nilla Wafers as you go.
- Crumble the remaining half of the Nilla cookies over the top, and drizzle the top with the remaining caramel sauce.
- Refrigerate & Garnish:
- Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the filling sets.
- Before serving, garnish with chocolate curls, a dusting of cocoa powder, or crushed leftover Nilla wafers.
Nutritional Breakdown:
- Calories: approximately 705 kcal per serving (serving size varies depending on portion size).
- Carbohydrates: 124 grams of complex carbohydrates from the Nilla wafers and banana slices.
- Protein: around 6 grams of high-quality protein from the instant pudding mix.
- Fat: 31 grams of healthy fats from the cream and buttery_Nilla wafer crust.
- Salt: The caramel sauce is naturally high in盐，please account for this when planning your sodium intake.
Tips:
- For the best texture, serve the pie within 4-12 hours of preparing to allow the filling to set and the bananas to remain tender.
- To prevent the bananas from browning too quickly, ensure they are well covered with the cream layer.
- The reserved Nilla Wafers and sliced bananas on top can be served as a fresh, toppings for the pie, adding a delightful texture and a hint of sweet crunch.
Feel free to customize this recipe according to your preferences and dietary needs, whether you're a banana enthusiast or prefer a reduced sugar and salt option. It's versatile, nutritious, and perfect for any occasion where dessert is a must-have in your gathering.
