Banana Cream Pie (also Chunky Monkey and Peanut Butter Snickers Pie)

On a mission to fill my son's request for a banana cream pie, I was about to make one completely from scratch with homemade pudding, when I came across this recipe from my all time favorite Website: Our Best Bites

I did make a few changes to the recipe, only because I already had certain ingredients and didn't want to make a trip to the grocery store.

I have to say, this is one of the best versions I've had and have found it to be a keeper!  (Being super easy doesn't hurt either!)  This makes 2 pies. If you want an optional flavor for the second pie, I'll share a couple of options with you at the end of the post. ( I made the

Peanut Butter Snicker's Pie too!)

Banana Cream Pie

( Makes 2 pies)

Ingredients:
1 prepared pie crust (either regular, or graham cracker)

2-4 ripe bananas

1 pkg. (4-6 1/2 oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 C. Cold Water

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 (8 oz.)  containers Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream

Directions:

• In mixing bowl, mix together: pudding, sweet condensed milk, and water. Put bowl in fridge for a minute or two. 
• While pudding is in fridge, slice bananas into bottom of prepared and cooled pie crusts. 
• Remove pudding from refrigerator and gently fold 1 (8 oz.) container of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
• Pour  half of the pudding mixture over each banana filled pie crust.
• Top pie with remaining cool whip.
• Cover and refrigerate till serving.

OPTIONAL FLAVORS:

Jan's tip: If you'd like to make one banana cream pie and then a second flavor for the other pie, before adding the whipped cream to the pudding mixture, pour half the pudding into a second mixing bowl. Then add half the cool whip in one bowl and proceed making the banana cream pie. Here's 2 options for the second pie:

1) Chunky Monkey (courtesy of Our Best Bites!)

Use an oreo crust

• Stir in 1/4 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky) into the pudding mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream.
• Slice bananas into pie crust
• Top bananas with peanut butter pudding mixture.
• Top pie with remaining Whip Cream
• Refrigerate till serving.

2) Peanut Butter Snickers Pie:

Use a regular or Oreo crust (I used regular because that's what I already had made)

• Stir 1/4 cup peanut butter into pudding mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream. 
• Sprinkle in 1-2 chopped up snicker bars into the pudding mixture.
• Pour into prepared crust
• Top with remaining whip cream

Refrigerate till serving.