BANOFFEE PIE

This incredibly delicious pie is made of 4 scrumptious layers: biscuit crust, toffee, fresh bananas and whipped cream. It is very easy to make and assemble, and one bite will take you through multiple levels of textures and flavors.

INGREDIENTS

• 150g butter, melted

• 300g digestive biscuits, crushed

• 2 tablespoons of Nutella, melted

• 2 cans condensed milk (397g each)

• 4-5 bananas

• 3 envelopes Dream Whip (or any whipped topping mix brand)

• 1 can of fresh cream (ashta, I use AlMarai brand)

• 1/2 cup fresh milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, optional

• Cocoa powder and dark chocolate shavings for dusting and garnish

PREPARATION

1. Using a food processor, crush the biscuits and then add the melted butter to form a sandy texture.

2. Add the melted Nutella to the mixture, and mix well to combine.

3. Press the mixture into the base of your serving plate or cake-tin and refrigerate it until needed.

4. For the caramel or toffee part of the ‘banoffee’, place the condensed milk cans in boiling water until fully submerged over high heat, and allow it to come to a boil.

5. Leave it to boil for approximately 2.5 hours. Keep checking on the cans, making sure they are still submerged in water. Add more water if needed.

6. Once the required time has passed, remove the cans from water, and make sure you handle with care. You can choose to leave the cans to cool down before handling them, or doing it immediately, but practice caution when you open the cans because it may slightly spray and it will be very hot.

7. Pour the now transformed caramel over the cooled base and spread evenly, then chill for another 30 minutes, or until firm.

8. In a bowl, add Dream Whip, fresh cream, milk and the vanilla essence into a bowl and beat them all using a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form.

9. Slice the bananas, and arrange over the caramel and biscuit base. This step needs to be done immediately before assembling the pie, because bananas will brown quickly.

10. Spread the whipped cream over the sliced bananas, decorating as desired. Dust with cocoa, garnish with chocolate shavings, decorate with additional bananas, and an extra drizzle of toffee or chocolate syrup.

11. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes:
Another method of turning the condensed milk to caramel is to empty the cans into a deep baking dish, cover with foil, place in a water bath and bake for 2 hours on low temperature.

You could add lotus crumbs to the base as well.

You could serve the pie in individual cups like a trifle instead.