National Banana Cream Pie Day

The story

It's the 19th century, and the world is about to get a taste of a dessert that will steal hearts for generations to come. Enter banana cream pie, the star of the show! Banana cream pie's journey began when bananas made their grand entrance into Europe and the United States, triggering a dessert revolution. While these tasty treats didn't officially land in cookbooks until the early 20th century, they quickly captured the hearts (and taste buds) of dessert enthusiasts everywhere. But what makes banana cream pie so special? Well, it's a dessert that has layers of sliced bananas, perched on a velvety custard or pudding filling that's smooth as silk. This filling, much like creme patisserie, is a tantalizing blend of milk, flour, cream, and eggs, giving the pie its signature wobble. Now, let's talk crust which provides the perfect base for this desert. Whether it's crafted from graham crackers, crumbled cookies, or traditional pastry dough, it sets the stage for the banana-y goodness. And here's the twist: no top crust! Instead, it's crowned with a generous amount of whipped cream or meringue, sometimes sprinkled with pecans, drizzled in chocolate, or bathed in caramel. **Interesting Facts:** - Banana cream pie was the top dessert pick for American soldiers in the 1950s. - Bananas are less dense than water, so they float. - Alexander the Great brought bananas to Europe, but they weren't quite like the sweet yellow ones we adore today. - A single banana is called a “finger,” while a cluster is known as a “hand.”