Description
A refreshing and creamy Strawberry Banana Cream Pie featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth cream cheese and whipped cream filling, and layers of fresh bananas and strawberries. Perfectly chilled and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles for a festive finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped
Fruit Layer
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Decoration
- Whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Banana slices
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is fully blended.
- Form and Bake the Crust: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish to create the crust. Bake it in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until set and aromatic. Remove and let it cool completely to ensure the filling doesn’t melt.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, creating a light, airy texture.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful to keep the mixture fluffy and well combined without deflating the whipped cream.
- Assemble the Pie: Layer the sliced bananas and strawberries evenly at the bottom of the cooled pie crust. Spread the cream filling evenly over the fruit layer, making sure it completely covers the fruit to seal it in.
- Chill the Pie: Refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 3-4 hours so the filling sets properly, allowing flavors to meld and the pie to firm up for easy slicing.
- Decorate: Before serving, add decorative swirls of whipped cream on top, along with additional sliced strawberries and bananas. Optionally, sprinkle colorful sprinkles over the top for a festive presentation.
- Serve: Slice the pie and enjoy this creamy, fruity dessert that balances sweet and fresh flavors perfectly.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Use ripe bananas and fresh strawberries for the best flavor.
- Graham cracker crust can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with whipped topping, noting textural differences.
- Keep the pie refrigerated until serving to maintain its freshness and texture.
