1. Prepare the Crust:
In a medium bowl, combine theĀ graham cracker crumbs,Ā granulated sugar, andĀ melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are fully coated and have the texture of wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottoms of a 12-cup muffin tin or mini pie tins, creating an even layer for each pie. Place the crusts in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to set.
2. Make the Pudding Filling:
In a large bowl, whisk together theĀ banana cream pudding mixĀ andĀ cold milkĀ for about 2 minutes, until thick and smooth. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow it to fully set. The result will be a creamy, luscious pudding thatās ready to fill your pies.
3. Whip the Cream:
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat theĀ heavy whipping cream,Ā powdered sugar, andĀ vanilla extractĀ on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be sure to reserve about half of the whipped cream for topping your mini pies later.
4. Assemble the Mini Pies:
Remove the crusts from the refrigerator. Add a layer ofĀ banana slicesĀ to each crust. Spoon a generous layer ofĀ banana cream puddingĀ over the bananas, filling each cup almost to the top. Add another thin layer ofĀ banana slicesĀ on top of the pudding for extra banana flavor. Finish by adding a dollop of the reservedĀ whipped creamĀ on top of each pie. For an extra special touch, garnish withĀ chocolate shavingsĀ or aĀ caramel drizzleĀ if desired.
Helpful Tips for Success
Tip #1:
For the best crust, press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the tins to ensure it holds together. A spoon or the bottom of a glass works great for this.
Tip #2:
To prevent your bananas from browning, you can brush them with a little lemon juice before layering them in the pies.
Tip #3:
Make sure your heavy whipping cream is cold before whipping. Cold cream whips faster and results in fluffier peaks.
Tip #4:
If you want to get ahead, the crusts can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
Store yourĀ No-Bake Mini Banana Cream PiesĀ in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them in an airtight container to prevent the whipped cream from absorbing any fridge odors. For best results, enjoy the pies within 1-2 days as the bananas may start to brown.
Reheating:
These pies are best served cold, so thereās no need for reheating! If youāre prepping them ahead of time, simply pull them from the fridge when youāre ready to serve, and theyāll be as fresh as when you made them.
