Banana Caramel Creme

Thanks to Morgan, my younger daughter, this will be a keeper! She had been bugging me to try this recipe for a while, I even bought bananas a few different times with the intention of making this dessert. Finally got it done, so worth the effort!!

Ingredients you will need:

2/3 cup of sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups whole milk

2 T butter

1 T vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 crackers)

1/3 cup butter melted

1 T sugar

Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually pour in milk, while whisking, to make a smooth mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Continue to cook and stir one minute.

Pour several tablespoons of the hot mixture into the bowl with the eggs and immediately stir well. Pour warmed egg mixture into the pan with the rest of the hot milk mixture. Return to a slow boil, and cook one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Set aside to cool. When the pan has cooled, place in the frig to fully cool. If you want, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the top surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin forming.

Crush crackers in a large ziplock. Pour crumbs, sugar and melted butter into a bowl and stir until fully combined. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan and press. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until  lightly brown. Allow to cool.

To assemble:

1. Spoon about 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumble into individual serving dishes. Use a small glass to press the crumble into a firm layer.

2. Add layer of pastry cream into each dish. I used a pastry bag to pipe it into the glass.

3. Add a few slices of banana.

4. Top bananas with a layer whipped cream (I just used it from the can).

5. Add some graham cracker crumble and drizzle of caramel.

Repeat layers 2 - 5.

Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 3 hours. Top with a slice of fresh banana before serving.

If preparing this dessert in a 9x13 pan, don't repeat layers just use all of the ingredients for each layer.

I didn't cook the graham cracker layer and it was still great, so do whatever you like.  This is really rich, so I would recommend smaller dishes, this makes about 6 servings.