A luscious layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy banana custard, and fresh strawberries—finished with whipped cream for a light, fruity indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pie captures the flavors of a classic layered pudding dessert in an elegant, sliceable form. The crunchy crust balances the silky custard, ripe bananas, juicy strawberries, and light cream topping. It’s visually stunning, universally beloved, and delightfully fresh.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Graham cracker crumbs
Unsalted butter, melted
Granulated sugar
Large eggs
Whole milk or half-and-half
Sugar
Cornstarch
Vanilla extract
Ripe bananas, sliced
Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Heavy cream (for topping)
Powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
Optional: lemon zest or gelatin (for fruit setting)

directions

Prepare crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and a little sugar. Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a pie dish. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
Make custard: In a saucepan, whisk together eggs (or egg yolks), milk, sugar, corn starch, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Assemble layer: Spread half the custard in the chilled crust. Arrange a layer of banana slices evenly over it. Gently pour remaining custard to cover bananas.
Top with strawberries: Arrange sliced strawberries in a decorative pattern or scatter evenly over the custard. For a glossy finish, you may brush them with warmed apricot jam or a light glaze.
Chill: Refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 2–3 hours to allow layers to set properly.
Make whipped cream topping: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar (and optional vanilla) until soft peaks form.
Serve: Just before serving, spread or pipe whipped cream over the top. Optionally garnish with strawberry slices or banana chips.

Servings and timing

Yield: 8 pie slices
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Chill time: Minimum 2–3 hours (longer for firmer set)
Total time: Approximately 3 hours 35 minutes

Variations

Mixed berry twist: Add raspberries or blueberries alongside strawberries for extra color and flavor.
Chocolate layer: Mix ¼ cup cocoa powder into some of the custard for a chocolate twist.
Vegan option: Use coconut cream, cornstarch-thickened plant milk, and a vegan crust alternative.
Citrus zing: Stir in a little lemon or orange zest into the custard for brightness.

storage/reheating

Refrigeration: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add whipped cream fresh before serving.
Freezing: Not recommended, as cream and fruit may become watery upon thawing.
Serving tip: Use a hot knife (dipped in warm water) for clean slices when cutting through layers.

FAQs

Can I use a prebaked crust?

Yes—store-bought graham pie crusts work perfectly and save prep time.

Why is my custard runny?

It may need more cooking to fully thicken; ensure cornstarch is well dissolved and mixture bubbles before removing heat. Chill thoroughly to help set.

How do I prevent soggy crust?

Chill the crust before adding custard and ensure custard isn’t too hot when poured to avoid softening the crust.

Can I prep ahead?

Yes—cook and refrigerate custard and pre-chill crust a day ahead. Assemble and chill the day or hours before serving.

Are bananas going to brown?

Keep sliced bananas slightly under-ripe, coat with a thin layer of custard or lemon juice, and chill promptly to slow browning.

Can I omit gelatin?

Yes—cornstarch-thickened custard is sufficient for holding layers together, though gelatin adds extra stability for warmer settings.

Can I substitute pudding mix?

Yes—use instant vanilla pudding mix per package instructions as a shortcut.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes—use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust.

Can I add nuts?

Certainly—sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pecans over the top for texture.

What liquid is best for whipped cream?

Use heavy cream with at least 30–36% fat for stable, rich whipped cream topping.

Conclusion

Strawberry Banana Cream Pie with Graham Crust is a timeless, crowd-pleasing dessert that showcases fresh fruit, creamy custard, and crunchy crust. Its layered assembly and vibrant topping make it ideal for gatherings and celebratory meals. With easy variations and make-ahead potential, this pie brings both visual appeal and flavor to the table—enjoy every delicious slice!