There’s something truly magical about the blend of creamy caramel and fresh bananas in a dessert. This Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe hits all the right notes with its buttery biscuit base, luscious caramel, and fluffy cream topping. It’s one of those treats that feels like a hug on a plate!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I fell in love with this Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe the first time I made it—its simplicity combined with that rich, dreamy flavor makes it a go-to dessert whenever I want to impress without stress.
- Rich, homemade caramel: The caramel is golden, thick, and just the right balance of sweet and buttery, thanks to simple ingredients you probably already have.
- Easy no-bake base: Crushed biscuits mixed with butter form a wonderfully crunchy crust without using an oven, saving time and effort.
- Fresh banana topping: The bananas add a natural sweetness and fresh texture that perfectly offsets the richness of the caramel and cream.
- Customizable and crowd-pleasing: You can tweak this recipe easily to make it your own or suit any occasion—it’s always a hit!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe plays an important role. The buttery biscuit base provides a crunchy foundation, the caramel adds richness, and the bananas with cream give a fresh, light contrast.
- Digestive biscuits: These create the perfect crumbly crust—a classic choice that holds well but stays tender. If you’re in the US, graham crackers work great too.
- Unsalted butter: Melting into the crushed biscuits, it binds the crust and adds depth without making it greasy.
- Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Butter (for caramel): Unsalted butter is essential here for smooth, rich caramel with no added saltiness.
- Dark brown sugar: Gives the caramel its deep, molasses-infused flavor and color.
- Condensed milk: The star of homemade caramel—when combined with butter and sugar, it forms that gooey, decadent texture.
- Bananas: Make sure they’re ripe but firm, so they slice beautifully and don’t turn mushy.
- Double cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it adds a light, fluffy contrast to the dense caramel.
- Dark chocolate: Optional but highly recommended for a bit of luxe and texture—chocolate curls bring the whole dessert together.
- Vanilla extract and icing sugar: Optional but add subtle sweetness and aromatic warmth to the whipped cream.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe can be. I often add a splash of coffee liqueur to the caramel or a pinch of cinnamon to the biscuit base for a little twist. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite flavor combo!
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping the digestive biscuits for chocolate cookies when I want a more decadent base—just adjust the butter amount slightly to get that perfect crumbly texture.
- Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free version, gluten-free graham crackers or oat biscuits work really well and still hold together nicely in the crust.
- Seasonal flair: Try adding a handful of crushed nuts on top for extra crunch or a drizzle of salted caramel for a seasonal treat around the holidays.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
Step 1: Building the Crunchy Biscuit Base
The base is straightforward but important for success. Crush the digestive biscuits until they’re fine but still a bit chunky for texture. Mix them with melted butter and a pinch of salt—it helps balance the sweetness later. Press this mixture firmly into your 23cm removable base flan tin, smoothing it out evenly with the back of a spoon. I find it helps to chill the base for at least 30 minutes before adding anything on top to keep it firm and prevent sogginess.
Step 2: Making That Irresistible Caramel
On low heat, gently melt unsalted butter with dark brown sugar, stirring constantly so nothing sticks or burns. Once the sugar fully dissolves into a syrupy liquid, stir in the condensed milk. Turn up the heat to medium and keep stirring continuously—this takes about a minute until the mixture thickens and turns rich golden caramel. Timing is key here; if you let it bubble too long, it can harden, so watch carefully. Then immediately pour the caramel over your chilled biscuit base and smooth it out.
Step 3: Assembling the Fresh Toppings
Slicing the bananas just before you layer them on top keeps them fresh and prevents browning. If you want, toss the banana slices lightly in lemon juice beforehand—this adds a subtle tang and stops them getting sticky. Next, whip your double cream until it just holds soft peaks. If you have vanilla extract and icing sugar, fold them in before whipping for extra flavor. Spread the cream over the banana layer, and don’t forget to finish with dark chocolate curls or sprinkles for a beautiful and tasty touch.
Top Tip
Through making this Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe countless times, I’ve gathered some practical tips that really make a difference—especially if it’s your first time.
- Use room temperature butter: It blends better with the crushed biscuits, creating a crumbly but stable crust without clumps.
- Continuous stirring for caramel: Don’t walk away! Stirring prevents burning and ensures a smooth, silky caramel every time.
- Chill properly: Let the base and caramel chill between steps; it means cleaner slices and less mess when serving.
- Make chocolate curls last minute: Do this right before serving so they look fresh and don’t melt into the cream or caramel.
How to Serve Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a few extra chocolate curls and sometimes a dusting of cocoa powder on top for a little dramatic flair. If you want a fresh pop, some toasted pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and nutty contrast. A tiny drizzle of caramel sauce on each serving just ups the decadence factor.
Side Dishes
This pie stands beautifully on its own, but if I’m serving it at a gathering, I like to pair it with a simple fresh fruit salad or a cup of strong coffee or black tea to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes make mini banoffee pies in individual jars or ramekins. It’s perfect for portion control and looks adorable. You can also layer banana slices and caramel in clear glasses topped with whipped cream for a deconstructed take that always gets compliments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days if covered tightly with cling film or stored in an airtight container. Let the pie sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving again for the creamiest texture.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this pie because the texture of the bananas and cream changes after thawing, often becoming watery. If you want to prep ahead, freeze the biscuit base and caramel separately, then assemble fresh just before serving.
Reheating
Since the banoffee pie is best served chilled, reheating isn’t necessary. However, if your caramel hardens in the fridge, bringing the pie to room temperature for a little while softens it up nicely without losing that perfect set.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Definitely! You can prepare the caramel a day before and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm it gently before spreading over the base so it’s easier to handle.
Heavy cream works well as a substitute, especially if you’re in the US. Just whip it until it holds soft peaks. For a lighter option, you could try mascarpone mixed with a little milk, though the texture will differ.
Toss banana slices lightly in lemon juice right after slicing—they won’t brown as quickly and get a subtle fresh zing. Also, adding the sliced bananas just before serving helps keep them looking fresh.
Yes! Swap out the digestive biscuits for gluten-free graham crackers or your favorite gluten-free crunchy biscuit. Just keep an eye on the butter quantity to get the right crumbly consistency.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe feels like a little celebration every time I make it. The balance of buttery, sweet, creamy, and fresh textures is just unbeatable. Whether it’s a special occasion or you simply want to treat yourself and friends, I truly recommend giving this recipe a try—you’ll be rewarded with smiles and maybe even a few requests to make it again soon!
Print
Banoffee Pie Recipe with Caramel and Bananas Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic British dessert featuring a buttery biscuit base topped with rich caramel, fresh sliced bananas, and fluffy whipped cream, finished with optional dark chocolate shavings. This indulgent Banoffee Pie combines sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors in a no-bake pie perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
For the base:
- 200 g Digestive biscuits, crushed
- 100 g Unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon Salt
For the caramel:
- 80 g Unsalted butter
- 80 g Dark brown sugar
- 397 g Can of condensed milk (1 tin)
For the topping:
- 2 Bananas, peeled and sliced
- 300 ml Double cream, whipped
- 10 g Dark chocolate (optional)
Optional additions:
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon Icing sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Mix the crushed digestive biscuits with the melted butter and salt until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the base of a 23 cm removable base flan tin using the back of a spoon. If possible, chill the base for 30 minutes to set before adding the filling.
- Make the caramel: In a small non-stick saucepan over low heat, melt together the butter and dark brown sugar, stirring continuously. Once the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is liquid, add the condensed milk. Increase the heat to medium and continue stirring for about 1 minute until the caramel thickens and turns golden.
- Assemble the base and caramel: Spoon the warm caramel evenly over the biscuit base and smooth the surface. Place the pie in the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 1 hour to let the caramel set.
- Add the toppings: Once the caramel is set, arrange the sliced bananas evenly over the caramel layer. Then spread or pipe the whipped double cream on top, optionally mixed with vanilla extract and icing sugar if using.
- Finish and serve: Optional dark chocolate can be shaved on top using a vegetable peeler for garnish. Serve the Banoffee Pie chilled for a rich and decadent dessert experience.
Notes
- You can substitute digestive biscuits with graham crackers if preferred; adjust butter quantity to achieve a sandy texture suitable for pressing.
- Prevent bananas from browning by tossing them lightly in lemon juice before layering on the pie.
- Whip the double cream until firm yet soft and floppy, avoiding an overly stiff or lumpy texture.
- Vanilla extract and icing sugar add flavor to the cream but are optional.
- Dark chocolate shavings add a decorative touch; alternatively, use sprinkles or cocoa powder as garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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