Watch How to Make It: Blueberry Banana Pie Video Guide

For a visual guide to creating this spectacular dessert, check out our step-by-step video. It walks you through each stage of the recipe, ensuring you achieve perfect results every time. Follow along to see how simple it is to whip up this crowd-pleasing pie!

In a large mixing bowl, ensure your 8 ounces of light cream cheese (Neufchâtel cheese) is fully softened to room temperature. This will prevent lumps and ensure a velvety smooth filling. Beat the softened cream cheese with one cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth. Use an electric mixer for best results, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

To the cream cheese and sugar mixture, add two cups of cold heavy cream and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue beating with your electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters or a spatula from the mixture, the peaks hold their shape without drooping. This step is key to creating a light, airy, and stable filling. Set this luxurious mixture aside while you prepare your fruit.

Take your cooled pie crusts and evenly slice your ripe bananas. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer across the bottom of each pie crust. The bananas provide a soft, sweet base that pairs wonderfully with the creamy top layer. For best presentation and to prevent browning, you can lightly brush the bananas with a bit of lemon juice, though this is optional as they will be covered by the filling.

Now, carefully spoon the luscious cream cheese mixture over the banana slices in each pie crust. Using a spatula, evenly spread the mixture all the way to the edges, creating a smooth and uniform layer. This creamy layer is the heart of your pie, providing that indulgent, cooling sensation.

Finally, open your can of blueberry pie filling and carefully spoon half of it over each pie, spreading it gently to cover the cream cheese layer. The vibrant blueberries add a beautiful color contrast and a burst of fruity flavor. Once both pies are topped, cover them loosely with plastic wrap and transfer them to the refrigerator. Chill for at least four hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the pie to set completely and the flavors to meld beautifully. This chilling time is essential for the perfect slice!

Customize Your Pie: Delicious Variations

While the classic Blueberry Banana Cream Cheese Pie is a masterpiece on its own, it also serves as a fantastic base for creativity. Feel free to experiment with these variations to tailor the pie to your personal preferences or what you have on hand:

• Strawberry Sweetness: Not a blueberry fan, or just craving something different? Easily swap out the blueberry pie filling for strawberry pie filling. You could even use a combination of strawberry and raspberry for a mixed berry delight.
• Sweet Crust Alternatives: The original recipe suggests a savory baked pie crust, which provides a lovely contrast. However, for an even sweeter dessert, consider using a crushed graham cracker crust, a shortbread crust, or even an Oreo cookie crust. To make a simple crumb crust, combine 1 ½ cups of crushed cookies (like graham crackers, shortbread, or Oreos) with ¼ cup of melted butter and press into your pie plates before chilling.
• Omit the Bananas or Swap Them: If bananas aren’t your favorite, simply omit them entirely for a pure blueberry cream pie. Alternatively, replace the banana slices with other fresh fruits that complement blueberries, such as sliced strawberries, peaches, or even a mix of berries.
• Lemon Zest Brightness: For an extra layer of freshness and a zingy flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture when you’re beating it with the sugar. The citrus notes will beautifully enhance the fruit flavors.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For chocolate lovers, a light drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer before adding the blueberry filling can add an indulgent twist.
• Nutty Crunch: A layer of finely chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled over the banana layer can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.

These variations allow you to customize your pie to suit any taste or occasion, ensuring this recipe remains a versatile favorite!

Smart Prep, Storage, and Freezing Tips

Planning ahead for your dessert can save valuable time, especially when entertaining. Here’s how to manage your Blueberry Banana Cream Cheese Pie for maximum freshness and convenience:

Prep Ahead

This pie is excellent for partial preparation in advance. You can prepare the creamy filling mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The baked pie crusts can also be prepared a day or two ahead, cooled completely, and then stored covered at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, simply slice your bananas, assemble the layers, and chill the pies for at least four hours. This strategy allows you to quickly put together a fresh pie when needed, making it ideal for busy schedules or last-minute gatherings.

Storage

Once assembled, the Blueberry Banana Cream Cheese Pie with Cream Cheese should be stored covered in the refrigerator. It will maintain its delicious flavor and creamy texture for up to two days. To ensure freshness and prevent it from absorbing other odors from your fridge, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. While it might still be edible beyond two days, the texture of the bananas can start to change, and the crust may soften.

Freezing

Unfortunately, this pie does not stand up well to freezing. The creamy filling, made with whipped heavy cream and cream cheese, tends to separate and become watery upon thawing, losing its desirable smooth texture. The bananas also become mushy and discolored when frozen and thawed. For the best experience, we highly recommend enjoying this pie fresh and chilled within a couple of days of making it.

Blueberry Banana Cream Cheese Pie

Share
Pin