Oh Me, Oh My, a Healthy Pie?

So I just heard on the weather that snow is predicted for Saturday! Snow? Already?! Where did fall go? Oh that’s right, this is Minnesota and it’s so ridiculous unpredictable. Humph! At least I have this delectable dessert in my fridge to boost my spirits.

When it comes to pies, I actually would rather have a bowl of ice cream or a cinnamon roll. I have never been a fan of pumpkin pies, apple pies, or any other. However, there is one pie that I could eat 10 times over! It’s been a favorite since childhood..

Banana Cream Pie!

I used to get it all the time at one of our local restaurants that is known for their array of pies. The crust, the fluffy banana cream filling, and that inch thick layer of silky whipped cream is a one-of-a-kind taste sensation. Although I knew I could probably not get too close to the original taste of that pie, I wanted to give it a shot just for the heck of it. And of course, now I wanted to try to “healthify” it a bit.

First..What makes a pie unhealthy in the first place?

• A typical pie has a crust made up of white flour, full-fat butter, and sugar.
• Many people do not eat a pie by itself—they will add unhealthy toppings such as ice cream, whipped cream(not Cool Whip), or different sugar laden sauces.
• Fillings can contain cups of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, saturated/trans fats, high in cholesterol and astounding sodium levels.

However, I am about everything in moderation—so go ahead and have a slice of your favorite pie, or if it’s a bit healthier like mine, have 2 slices =)

My Too-Good-To-Deny Banana Cream Pie

How is this healthier than a standard Banana Cream Pie you ask?

• Starts with a Fiber One/Banana Cheerios crust combined with a little banana puree and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter FF Spread.
• Next comes a layer of potassium-filled bananas.
• The bananas are followed by a rich and thick SF pudding/yogurt filling paired with creamy Almond Breeze milk.
• Any finally, some bananas top it off to garnish and a layer of Cool Whip just for fun! =)

 

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Fiber One cereal
• 1 cup banana flavored Cheerios, or just plain if you don’t have them.
• 1 Tbsp mashed banana
• 4 Tbsp ICBINB FF Spread
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 large banana, plus more for garnish if desired
• 2 c. milk, I used Almond Breeze, any will do.
• 1-8 oz container of Banana Cream Pie yogurt(from Wal-Mart’s Great Value brand)
• 1-6 oz box of SF vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
• 1/2 c Cool Whip, thawed

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Pulse cereals, 1 Tbsp mashed banana, cinnamon, and butter spread in food processor until a fine crumb consistency is formed.
• Spray pie plate generously with cooking spray and pour in crumbs, forming a pie crust along the bottom and half way up the edges.

• Bake pie crust for 10 min.
• Meanwhile, cut up the large banana into thin slices. Once pie crust comes out of the oven, let cool briefly, then layer slices evenly around crust.

• Mix milk, yogurt, and pudding/pie filling mix with mixer on medium speed for 1-2 min.
• Pour over pie and refrigerate for 2 hours.

• Spread on whipped cream and top with additional slices if desired.

 

YUM!!