But back to my latest pie creation...over the course of this experiment, I've learned that people love pies. Especially pies with gooey custard and freshly whipped cream. Throw in a couple of sliced bananas, some graham crackers and a dash of cinnamon, and you have a pie that almost no one can resist.
We shared this pie with some friends we've made in Colorado Springs. We shared a big pot of chili, some homemade cornbread and an ample dose of laughter and conversation. This sweet pie was a perfect ending to a delightful evening.
Single recipe for butter pastry (well chilled)
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Filling
1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
5 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 TBSP butter
1 tsp cinnamon
Whipped Topping
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 TBSP sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of graham crackers on a clean surface. Proceed to roll out your dough, sprinkling remaining crumbs on the top of the pie dough. Fit your graham cracker coated dough into a pie plate and bake in preheated 400 degree oven. (Follow instructions for pre-baking pie crust)
2. Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Add the yolks and then the milk and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly as the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Once the mixture simmers, continue to cook for about 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon and butter. Pour the filling into a shallow pan, another pie pan works great, and cover directly with plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming. Allow to cool until warm, about 20-30 minutes. Pour into your prebaked pie crust and place another sheet of plastic wrap over the surface. Refrigerate the pie until completely chilled, at least 3 hours.
3. When ready to serve, beat the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla and continue to beat to barely stiff peaks, spread over the filling and sprinkle with crumbled wafers or graham crackers.