This Banoffee Cream Pie is a rich, creamy, and completely irresistible dessert made with a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth dulce de leche, sweet bananas, vanilla pudding, and a fluffy whipped topping. Every slice has the perfect mix of crumbly, silky, sweet, and creamy layers.
Although it looks impressive enough for birthdays, holidays, and special gatherings, this easy banoffee pie recipe is simple to prepare. With a few basic ingredients and a little chilling time, you can create a beautiful dessert that tastes indulgent without being complicated.
What Is Banoffee Pie?
Banoffee pie is a popular British dessert made with bananas, a caramel-like filling, whipped cream, and a crumb crust. The crust is usually made from crushed biscuits or graham crackers, giving the pie a buttery base that balances the soft, creamy layers on top.
The name “banoffee” comes from combining the words “banana” and “toffee.” That combination perfectly describes the flavor of this dessert. Sweet bananas are layered with dulce de leche, which has a deep, toffee-like taste, then finished with pudding and whipped cream for a smooth and luxurious texture.
This banoffee cream pie is sweet, rich, and just slightly salty from the crust and butter. It is the kind of dessert that feels special but does not require advanced baking skills. The oven is only used briefly for the crust, and the rest of the pie comes together with easy mixing, layering, and chilling.
What Is Dulce De Leche?
Dulce de leche is a thick, sweet sauce often used in Latin American desserts. It is similar to caramel, but it is made by slowly cooking milk and sugar until the mixture becomes creamy, golden, and deeply flavorful. The result is smooth, sweet, and slightly richer than traditional caramel sauce.
In this banoffee pie recipe, dulce de leche creates the sticky, toffee-style layer that makes the dessert so delicious. Store-bought dulce de leche is a convenient option and works beautifully here. If it is too thick to spread easily, warming it briefly helps loosen the texture without changing the flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This easy banoffee pie is made with simple ingredients, many of which are pantry or refrigerator staples. Each one plays an important role in building the flavor and texture of the finished dessert.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – These create the crumbly, buttery base for the pie.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar sweetens the crust. Brown sugar may also be used if preferred.
- Butter – Melted butter binds the graham cracker crumbs and gives the crust its rich flavor.
- Vanilla Pudding Mix – Use instant pudding mix from a packet, not prepared pudding.
- Milk – Whole milk creates a creamier pudding layer, but another milk of choice can be used.
- Whipped Topping – A prepared whipped topping helps create a light, stable filling.
- Dulce de Leche – This forms the sweet, sticky toffee-style layer.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – Use cold cream so it whips properly.
- Bananas – Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and classic banoffee flavor.
- Powdered Sugar – This helps sweeten and stabilize the whipped cream.
How to Make This Easy Banoffee Pie Recipe
This dessert may look layered and elegant, but the steps are very straightforward. The key is to let the pie chill long enough so the filling sets and the slices hold their shape.
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Form the crust: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture for layering later. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of a 10-inch deep cake pan or pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- Create the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk the vanilla pudding mix with the milk until smooth and fully combined. Let it sit for a few minutes so it can thicken. Meanwhile, beat the cold heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating just until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat, or the cream may separate.
- Assemble the banoffee pie: Spread the dulce de leche over the cooled crust. If needed, warm it for about 20 seconds so it spreads more easily. Add a layer of sliced bananas, then spread the pudding mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the reserved graham cracker crumbs, add another layer of bananas, and finish with the whipped cream.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the pie uncovered for at least 4 hours. Once set, drizzle with caramel sauce if desired, slice, and serve chilled.
Pro Tips for the Best Banoffee Pie Recipe
Don’t overbeat the cream. Beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar only until stiff peaks begin to form. If it is mixed for too long, the cream can separate and lose its smooth texture.
Warm the dulce de leche. Dulce de leche can be thick straight from the container. A short time in the microwave makes it easier to pour and spread evenly over the crust.
Chill before slicing. The chilling time is important. It allows the pudding, cream, and dulce de leche layers to set, making the pie easier to cut and serve neatly.
Make Ahead and Storage Options
Leftover banoffee pie can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Because the pie contains bananas and whipped cream, it is best kept chilled until ready to serve.
If you want to prepare part of the dessert in advance, the graham cracker crust can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months before assembling the pie.
Once the pie is fully assembled, it can be kept uncovered in the refrigerator up to 1 day in advance. Freezing the entire pie is not recommended because the texture does not thaw as well. However, leftover slices can be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Banoffee pie is made with a crumb crust, dulce de leche, bananas, and whipped cream. This version also includes a creamy vanilla pudding layer.
The name banoffee combines “banana” and “toffee,” which are the key flavors in the dessert.
Yes. Although banoffee pie originated as a British dessert, it is also made and enjoyed in the United States.
A watery pie may be caused by whipped cream that is not stable enough. Make sure the cream is whipped until stiff peaks form, or use a stable prepared whipped topping.
More Tasty Pies to Try
If you enjoy creamy, layered desserts, there are plenty of other pies worth making. No-bake chocolate peanut butter pie, Oreo pie, pecan fried pie, and ice cream pie are all delicious options for parties, holidays, or any time you want an easy dessert.
The Best Banoffee Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 13.5 ounces graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 (5.9 ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix
- 3 cups whole milk or milk of choice
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 8 ounces whipped topping such as Cool Whip
- 13.5 ounces dulce de leche
- 3 bananas sliced
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture.
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Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 10-inch deep cake pan or pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
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In another bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and milk until smooth. Let the mixture sit until it begins to thicken.
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In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat.
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Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture.
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Spread the dulce de leche evenly over the prepared crust. If it is too thick, microwave it for about 20 seconds or until easy to pour. Add a layer of sliced bananas, then the pudding mixture, the reserved graham cracker crumbs, a second layer of bananas, and the whipped cream topping.
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Refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired, slice, and enjoy chilled.
Nutrition
| Calories: 623kcal
| Carbohydrates: 74g
| Protein: 9g
| Fat: 33g
| Sugar: 44g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.