Banana Cream Pie

Preparation

1. Crust:

   Step 1

   Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat oven to 350°F. Using your hands, crush graham crackers into a food processor; pulse until finely ground. Add peanuts and salt and pulse a few times until incorporated but with some flecks of peanut remaining. Pour in butter and pulse just until mixture holds together when squeezed in your palm.

   Step 2

   Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a standard 9" pie dish using the bottom of a flat measuring cup or glass. Bake until golden brown, 12–15 minutes. The crust will most likely have slumped down toward the bottom of the dish; remove from oven and press crust back up the sides while still hot. Return to oven and bake until browned, about 5 minutes longer. Let cool.

   Step 3

   Do Ahead: Crust can be made 3 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

2. Filling and assembly:

   Step 4

   Whisk granulated sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan to combine. Add eggs and egg yolks and whisk vigorously, making sure to get into corners of pan, until smooth and pale. Whisk in milk, vanilla, and ½ tsp. salt.

   Step 5

   Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, whisking often and making sure to get into corners of pan, 8–10 minutes (mixture should be bubbling and thickened). Reduce heat and continue to simmer, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Let pudding cool 5 minutes, whisking every minute.

   Step 6

   Add butter to pudding and whisk until melted and fully incorporated. Add bananas and stir once to incorporate. Scrape filling into cooled crust; smooth surface. Chill until cold and set, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

   Step 7

   Using an electric mixer, beat cream, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon whipped cream over filling, swirling as desired. Top with peanuts.