Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie in a jar

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vanilla wafers, finely crushed
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups vanilla bean pastry cream (recipe follows)
  • 2 bananas, thinly sliced
  • Whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1.Combine the cookie crumbs, sugar and melted butter together in a small bowl and mix well until it resembles wet sand. Put 1/4 of the mixture into the bottom of each jar and press down to form a crust.
2.In another bowl, combine the peanut butter and powdered sugar. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until incorporated and the mixture looks like little pebbles. You will have more than you need. You can mix the leftovers into some vanilla ice cream.
3.Sprinkle a thin layer of the peanut butter crumblies into each jar, and place a layer of banana slices on top. Then, spoon a layer of pastry cream on top of the bananas. Continue layering the components in the same order until the jars are filled. Close jars and chill until ready to serve.
4.Serve with a sprinkling of the peanut butter crumblies and a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream
loosely adapted from Tartine

Ingredients

•2 cups half and half
•1 vanilla bean, cut open down the middle, seeded
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•3 tablespoons of cornstarch
•1/2 cup granulated sugar
•4 large egg yolks
•2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small cubes
Directions

1.Heat the half and half, vanilla seeds, pod and salt in medium saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean pod and reserve for another use. Put half and half back on heat and bring to a slight simmer.
2.In a large mixing bowl, whisk the sugar, cornstarch and eggs until smooth and pale yellow. Slowly add 1/2 of the hot half and half mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a clean bowl. Let cool for 10 minutes and then incorporate the butter, a little at a time, until smooth. Cover the surface with plastic wrap, directly touching the cream and let cool completely. Chill until ready to use