Cream Pie
Luscious cream pies are one of the most famous American desserts. Uncomplicated and refreshing, they are usually made with a crunchy bottom crust and a rich, creamy filling, all topped with generous amounts of whipped cream.
It is not clear when and where the first cream pie was created, but in the 19th century, they started to appear in the most notable cookbooks at the time. Originally, the crust was made with a basic flour and lard or butter mix, creating a flaky foundation for the decadent filling.
Nowadays, the bottom is also commonly made with crushed or crumbled cookies and graham crackers. Primarily, the filling for cream pies was only vanilla-based; it was a custard or a pudding-like cream, thick and lush, created with egg yolks and vanilla. Read more
Although a subtle vanilla custard is still the predominant flavor, numerous other varieties, primarily chocolate, have been introduced to become new American favorites. Mocha, butterscotch, caramel, and peanut butter are only a few of the most famous varieties.
However, the coconut cream pie and banana cream pie are probably the most important kinds which have become hallmark desserts in the United States. Cream pies are usually associated with traditional American diners where they are prepared and served on a daily basis as the universal American dessert.
Recipe variations
Banana Cream Pie
READY IN 1h 15minThe following recipe teaches you how to make the classic banana cream pie. The recipe gives instructions for all the components of the pie: the crust, the custard, the bananas, and the topping. The pie is easy to make, but the recipe is very detailed to eliminate any possible mishaps during preparation.
Vanilla Cream Pie
READY IN 1h 10minHere, the vanilla cream pie consists of three elements: the crust, the vanilla-flavored custard made with yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and milk, and the meringue, which are all prepared separately and then assembled to make a cream pie that is then baked. For a more festive look, the meringue should be colored two different colors. Also, remember to cool the pie completely before you serve it.
Coconut Cream Pie
READY IN 1h 30minAnother American favorite, coconut cream pie is prepared the same way as any other cream pie; the only difference is the added toasted coconut. The pie can be made two days in advance but must be kept covered in the refrigerator.
Chocolate Cream Pie
READY IN 1hThe following recipe gives instructions on how to make a chocolate cream pie. The crust is made with chocolate wafers, the custard is mixed with butter and melted chocolate, and the pie is topped with sweetened and whipped heavy cream.
Bavarian Cream Pie
READY IN 1hIn this variant, the main star is Bavarian cream, a custard thickened with gelatin, which is how this recipe got its name — Bavarian cream pie. However, there's much more to this pie. The Bavarian cream is also mixed with ice cream and whipped heavy cream, resulting in an extremely rich and decadent pie.
Cream Pie Authentic recipe
The following recipe teaches you how to make the classic banana cream pie. The recipe gives instructions for all the components of the pie: the crust, the custard, the bananas, and the topping. The pie is easy to make, but the recipe is very detailed to eliminate any possible mishaps during preparation.
WHERE TO EAT The best Cream Pie in the world (according to food experts)
"Here you find a single, supporting crust underneath the marvelous cream pies, which include coconut, spangled all over with toasty brown shreds, and banana cream, made with thick, ripe slices of banana, from-scratch custard, and buttery whipped cream."
"Banana cream, the one to get if you are foolish enough to get just one, rests on a chocolate shortbread."
"For dessert, the chocolate pie is a must."
"As coconut cream pies go, this one doesn't fool around."
"I am nowhere close to Tartine Bakery in San Francisco and yet I get to have their Banana Cream Pie for dessert! Actually, it would be like going to Paris for a patisserie from my sugar daddy at that point!"
"Go for the signature sour cream apple pie, the coconut cream pie, or any of their fruity double-crusted pies."
"Celebrating classic recipes with modern approaches, this spot’s magnum opus of sweet melds chocolate and banana custards. Then you’ve got graham cracker crust on the bottom and fresh whipped cream at the top."
"There’s always (thank goodness) their legendary coconut-white chocolate cream pie."
"The pie shop with the hipster vibe puts a modern spin on traditional desserts. Don’t discount a great banana cream (The Nannerz)."
"We got a slice of Key Lime and Banana Cream. Both of these pies set the gold standard for me. The banana cream had large chunks of bananas and a scrumptious custard filling."
