Chocolate Banana Pie

The best ever chocolate banana pie. A wonderful dreamy dessert that will impress anyone. Even my husband who rarely passes compliments was impressed with this pie. This may look fancy but in reality it is easy to make. If you love bananas and chocolate, you are going to devour this recipe.

For a time-saving stratedgy, the crust can be made days ahead. Just roll out the dough and freeze the unbaked dough directly in the pie tin. Wrap with plastic wrap and stack in the freezer. There is no need to thaw the dough ahead of time.

For a successful pie crust, butter and water should be chilled.

Ingredients:

For the crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup /1 1/2 sticks butter, chilled
• 1 egg yolk
• 3-4 tablespoons cold water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar

For the filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 150 g. / 5 oz. milk chocolate
• 75 g. /2.5 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 bananas, sliced

For the topping:

2 cups heavy cream, chilled

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon banana flavoring

For garnish:

• 1 banana, sliced

Directions:

For the crust:

1. Mix together the flour, sugar and salt.
2. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the flour.
3. Mix thoroughly integrating the butter.
4. Add the egg yolk and mix.
5. Add the cold water and mix. When the mixture starts coming together, knead it lightly.
6. Grease a 30 cm / 12 inches roundspring formpan. Roll out the dough on a floured surface using a rolling pin. Carefully line and spread the dough over the tart tin. Using your hands secure the dough around the corners of the tin. Prick the dough evenly with the tines of a fork.
7. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°.
9. Place a rack in the center of the oven.
10. Bake the pie crust until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven, and set aside to cool down completely.

For the filling:

1. Add the milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar and butter in a saucepan and cook over medium heat. Bring just to a boil. Whisk to incorporate ending up with a shiny chocolate sauce. Set aside to cool down completely.
2. When the crust and filling has totally cooled down, spread the banana slices, covering the pie crust.
3. Pour the chocolate filling almost covering the banana slices. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

For the topping:

1. Place the heavy cream, banana flavoring and sugar in a bowl of an electric mixer and whip until peaks form. Refrigerate.
2. After 4 hours, dollop the whipped cream on top of the banana chocolate pie. Garnish with the banana slices. Serve chilled. Enjoy!