Ok, I’m definitely betraying my age and misspent youth by admitting this, but I can’t hear the words “Banana Cream Pie” without thinking of Gilligan’s Island. I can’t (and don’t want to) count the hours I spent watching reruns of that show. To this day I can sing the entire theme song, word-for-word.
I have to admit that I’m a little jealous of what a great baker Maryanne must have been to be able to whip up banana and coconut cream pies without sugar, flour, cream or eggs– or even a pie plate or oven for that matter.
This recipe may look a little complicated with lots of ingredients and steps, but if Maryanne could put together a Banana Cream Pie on a desert island, we can surely do the same in our comfy kitchens.
As I’ve mentioned before, and will certainly mention again, pies and tarts are my favorite dessert. I’m generally partial to fruit pies. I like to use whatever fruit is in season and keep the flavors pretty simple to highlight the fruit itself. But every once in a while it’s fun to be a little decadent. With rich custard filling and mounds of sweet cream on top, cream pies are definitely decadent.
My problem with cream pies is that they tend to be soft and sweet without contrasting flavors and textures. I use salted and roasted macadamia nuts in the crust and as a topping to bring a nice savory and crunchy element to the pie. Coating the crust with melted dark chocolate will help keep it from getting soggy and, well, it’s just delicious.

Sprinkle the chopped chocolate onto the hot crust and allow it to melt before spreading it over the entire crust.
This pie is great the day it’s made, but it’s even better the next day. The flavors meld and the bananas soften into the filling.
If you don't have confectioner's sugar it's fine to use granulated sugar for the whipped cream. Just stir it in first so it has a chance to melt.
Banana Cream Pie with Candied Macadamias
Ingredients
Candied Macadamia Nuts
Graham Cracker Macadamia Nut Crust
Banana Pastry Cream
Assembly
Instructions
Candied Macadamia Nuts
Graham Cracker Macadamia Nut Crust
Banana Pastry Cream
Assembly
Notes
If you don't like rum it can be left out of the recipe.
The pie can be eaten several hours after it's made, but I found it was even better the second day.
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