If you have a serious sweet tooth and a love for all things creamy and indulgent, you are going to adore this Banoffee Pie Recipe. Combining the crunch of a buttery biscuit base, the luscious sweetness of caramel, ripe bananas, and fluffy whipped cream, this dessert is nothing short of heavenly. Every bite offers a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that make it a total crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is like setting the stage for a beautiful performance. This Banoffee Pie Recipe keeps it wonderfully simple with essentials that blend together to create that signature taste, texture, and irresistible look.
- Biscuit base: 250 grams Arnott’s Granita biscuits or your favourite sweet biscuits – these provide a crisp and buttery foundation.
- Melted butter: 160 grams – melts everything together to form a solid and rich crust.
- Dulce de leche: 1 can (395 grams) – this caramel filling is the soul of the pie, sweet and smooth.
- Butter: 75 grams cubed – adds richness to the caramel layer when heated with sugar.
- Light brown sugar: 75 grams – enhances the caramel flavour with a subtle molasses note.
- Thickened cream: 500 ml – whipped to soft peaks for a light and airy topping.
- Icing sugar: 1 tablespoon – sweetens the cream gently without overpowering.
- Vanilla bean paste or extract: 1 teaspoon – infuses the cream with warm aromatic notes.
- Bananas: 2-3 ripe bananas – the fresh fruit adds a natural sweetness and creamy contrast.
- Dark chocolate: 50 grams grated or shaved – adds a touch of bitterness and elegant garnish.
How to Make Banoffee Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuit Base
Start by crushing your chosen biscuits into fine crumbs. Melt the butter and pour it over the crumbs, mixing until everything looks like wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the base of a pie dish or springform tin and chill it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to set. This crunchy, buttery base will hold the whole pie together perfectly.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Filling
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the dulce de leche, cubed butter, and light brown sugar. Stir frequently until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth and glossy. This homemade caramel filling is the luscious heart of the Banoffee Pie Recipe, so take your time to get it just right. Once ready, pour it over the chilled biscuit base and spread evenly. Return to the fridge to firm up for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
While the caramel sets, whip the thickened cream with icing sugar and vanilla bean paste or extract until soft peaks form. The light, fluffy cream will balance the richness of the caramel and the crunch of the biscuit base beautifully.
Step 4: Layer the Bananas
Slice the bananas evenly and layer them over the chilled caramel. Using ripe bananas with just the right amount of sweetness brings freshness and a velvety texture to the pie. It’s vital to slice them right before assembling to keep them looking fresh and bright.
Step 5: Assemble and Garnish
Top the bananas generously with the whipped cream, smoothing it out or swirling it decoratively for that wow factor. Finish by sprinkling the grated or shaved dark chocolate over the cream. This finishing touch adds a subtle bitterness and makes your Banoffee Pie Recipe look irresistibly gourmet.
How to Serve Banoffee Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your dessert with extra dark chocolate curls, a light dusting of cocoa powder, or even a few fresh mint leaves. Each garnish adds a new dimension to the flavors and a pop of color that invites everyone to dig in eagerly.
Side Dishes
Serve this Banoffee Pie Recipe alongside a strong cup of espresso or a dollop of crème fraîche to cut through the sweetness. Fresh berries or a simple fruit salad can also complement the richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a modern twist, try making individual Banoffee pie jars with layers of biscuit crumbs, caramel, bananas, and cream. They make stunning party favors or personal treats that bring a smile with every spoonful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover Banoffee pie tightly with cling film and store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, though it’s best enjoyed sooner while the bananas still look vibrant.
Freezing
This Banoffee Pie Recipe isn’t ideal for freezing, as the fresh bananas and cream don’t freeze well and may develop an undesirable texture once thawed.
Reheating
Since this is a chilled pie, there’s no need for reheating. If you prefer a softer texture, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors mellow and the caramel soften slightly.
FAQs
Can I use regular condensed milk instead of dulce de leche?
For this Banoffee Pie Recipe, it’s important to use dulce de leche, not regular condensed milk. Dulce de leche has a caramelized flavor and thicker texture that make the filling rich and authentic.
What type of bananas is best for this recipe?
Choose ripe bananas that are yellow with a few brown spots. They are perfectly sweet and will hold their shape well, unlike underripe green or overly mushy bananas.
Can I make the biscuit base gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free biscuits similar in texture to Arnott’s Granitas or Digestives. Just be mindful that the texture might vary slightly but the pie will still be delicious.
How long should I chill the pie before serving?
Ideally, chill the pie for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the caramel to set firmly and flavors to meld together beautifully, making every bite delightfully satisfying.
Is it necessary to use vanilla bean paste?
While vanilla bean paste adds a lovely depth to the whipped cream, vanilla extract is a perfectly fine substitute and will still create a deliciously fragrant topping for your Banoffee Pie Recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about a well-made Banoffee Pie Recipe. It’s a dessert that effortlessly combines comfort and elegance, perfect for sharing with friends or indulging yourself after a long day. I encourage you to dive in and create this delicious treat—once you do, it’s sure to become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire.
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Banoffee Pie Recipe
A classic Banoffee Pie featuring a crunchy biscuit base, rich caramel filling made from dulce de leche, topped with fresh bananas and luscious whipped cream, finished with dark chocolate shavings for an indulgent dessert that perfectly balances sweetness and creaminess.
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
Biscuit Base
- 250 grams Arnott’s Granita biscuits (or Marie, butternut snap biscuits, Digestives, Graham Crackers, or any sweet biscuits)
- 160 grams butter, melted (approx. ⅔ cup)
Caramel Filling
- 1 x 395 gram can dulce de leche (Nestle Top n Fill or another brand of canned caramel; ensure it’s dulce de leche, not condensed milk)
- 75 grams butter, cubed
- 75 grams light brown sugar
Whipped Cream
- 500 ml thickened cream
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
To Assemble
- 2–3 ripe bananas (yellow with a few brown spots, avoid underripe green or overripe mushy bananas)
- 50 grams dark chocolate, grated or shaved into curls
Instructions
- Prepare the Biscuit Base: Crush the Arnott’s Granita biscuits (or your chosen sweet biscuits) into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter until evenly combined. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 23cm (9-inch) springform pan or pie dish. Chill in the fridge while preparing the caramel filling to set.
- Make the Caramel Filling: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the can of dulce de leche, cubed butter, and light brown sugar. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, forming a rich caramel sauce. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Caramel Layer: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the chilled biscuit base, spreading it gently with a spatula. Return to the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes until the caramel is firm and set.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the thickened cream with the icing sugar and vanilla bean paste or extract until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip to avoid curdling.
- Slice the Bananas: Peel and slice the ripe bananas into thin rounds and arrange them evenly over the set caramel layer.
- Add the Whipped Cream Layer: Spoon or pipe the whipped cream over the banana layer, spreading it evenly to cover the entire pie.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the grated or shaved dark chocolate over the whipped cream for an elegant finish. Chill the pie for at least an hour before serving to allow all the layers to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas that are firm and yellow with brown spots for best flavor and texture.
- Do not substitute dulce de leche with condensed milk as they have very different consistencies and flavors.
- You can prepare the biscuit base and caramel filling a day ahead to save time on assembly day.
- For a firmer base, chill the biscuit crust longer before adding the caramel layer.
- If preferred, garnish with toasted nuts or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: British
