Chocolate Crusted Banana Cream Pie

Want to impress your family and friends with a decadent yet easy dessert? Check out this awesome recipe sure to win any Chocolate or Banana lover’s heart!

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups, approximately 16-18 Chocolate sandwich cookies, crumbled

1 stick of unsalted butter

½ cup of granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp lemon juice

7 ripe bananas

1 box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding

1 box (3.4 oz) banana instant pudding

2 cups whole milk

(1) 8 oz carton of whipped cream (preferably vanilla flavored)

 DIRECTIONS

*Start by preparing the chocolate crust by melting ¾ stick of the unsalted butter.

*Add the melted butter along with 1 tbsp of granulated sugar to 1 cup of crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies in a 9 inch deep dish pie pan and mix well, forming the crust along the sides and bottom of the pie dish.

*Place pie crust in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for approximate 7-10 minutes. Remove pie crust from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.

*Next prepare a custard by cutting up 3 ½ bananas. Place a sauté pan on medium high heat. Add remaining butter (1/4) stick to the pan.  Once butter is melted add sliced bananas. Top bananas with ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract.  Cook and stir bananas well until they are extremely tender (approximately 10-12 minutes).

*Place cooked bananas into a bowl and smash with fork creating a custard like consistency. Allow custard to cool for approximately 10-12 minutes.

*Slice the remaining 3 ½ bananas and place them in a bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice and set aside.

*Prepare the pie filling by pouring each 3.4 oz packet of instant pudding in a medium sized mixing bowl. Next add 2 cups of cold milk to the pudding. Mix well until pudding sets up to a more solid state. Divide pudding mixture in half.

*Add half of the whipped cream to one half of the pudding mixture in a bowl and set aside.  You are now ready to build your pie.

To build your Banana Cream Pie:

*Begin by spreading your custard mixture as your bottom layer into your pie crust.

*Next place your lemon sprinkled bananas on top of the custard mixture.

*Now add the regular pudding mixture as your third layer.

*The fourth layer will be the pudding and whipped cream mixture.

*The last layer of your pie will be the remaining half of the whipped cream.

*Top your pie with ½ cup of chocolate cookie crumbles.

Loaded Potato Casserole

Looking for an easy, tasty way to prepare potatoes? Love all the flavors of a loaded baked potato? Look no further! This Loaded Potato Casserole is just the thing. It is a true crowd pleaser that will surely become a family favorite. This recipe is about 8 servings. Any variety of potatoes can be substituted for the red ones used here.

INGREDIENTS

1 Small Red Onion, chopped

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

13 Medium sized Red Potatoes, washed and cut into small cubes

¾ stick of salted butter, melted

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

¾ lb Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Sour Cream and Fresh Chives (chopped) to Garnish

DIRECTIONS

*Start by caramelizing the red onion in a skillet with the olive oil, set aside

*Boil potatoes for approximately 15-18 minutes, or until just fork tender

*Place potatoes in large casserole dish and coat with melted butter

*Gently stir in the caramelized onion, salt, pepper, cheese and bacon

*Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 18-20 minutes

*Garnish individual servings with sour cream and chives