Sometimes I just need a creamy, dreamy treat that feels like home. For me, banana cream pie definitely fits the bill. Unfortunately, the traditional version of my childhood doesn't quite fit my diet these days - it relies on pudding mixes, pre-made whipped topping and loads of dairy. So what's a dairy-avoiding comfort-food-seeker to do?!
No worries. There are options! These Vegan Banana Cream Pie Mini Tarts are just as creamy, dreamy and comforting as the homemade banana cream pie I remember.
So how do we make them happen? Cashews! Coconut whipped cream! And, of course, bananas. Bonus? They're super, duper easy to whip up. And they're pretty cute too.
For this recipe, I make use of premade frozen phyllo shells, found in the freezer section of most well-stocked grocery stores. So the crust is covered. Now, for that banana cream pie filling? The creaminess is in those cashews.
Let's talk about the magic of cashews for a moment, shall we? It's such a versatile ingredient. You can make cheese with it. Or cheesecake! Delicious milk and even coffee creamer. They make for a super creamy smoothie too. Then there's cashew mayo and cashew cream. Pureed soaked cashews lend a creamy, luxurious quality that mimics dairy cream and milk. I've been avoiding dairy these past couple of months, and cashews have been a game-changing ingredient for me. They've helped get me through. Basically, all hail cashews!
So by now, we've gathered cashews are a large part of the equation. Then we've got bananas and generous squeeze of lime juice that helps keep the pudding from getting too brown while it chills. A touch of coconut oil for added creaminess and a bit of pure maple syrup to sweeten the whole shebang. Then we squeeze the filling into the phyllo shells and top with sweetened coconut whipped cream.
Yep! Comfort on a platter right here.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 3 medium bananas, divided*
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from 1-2 medium limes, divided
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk or almond milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- 24 frozen baked phyllo tart shells, thawed (I used Athens brand)
- 1 batch coconut whipped cream
Instructions
- Several hours before making the tarts, place the cashews in a medium bowl and cover with 3 cups water. Soak the cashews for 4-6 hours, then drain and rinse. You'll also want to put the coconut milk (for the coconut whipped cream) into the refrigerator to chill.
- To make the banana cream filling, place the soaked cashews into the pitcher of a blender or a food processor fitted with an S-blade. Add 2 bananas, 2 tablespoons lime juice, coconut milk or almond milk, coconut oil, syrup and salt. Puree until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Spoon the filling into a medium container with an airtight lid. Cover the top of the pudding with plastic wrap, taking care to expel any air bubbles - the less the filling is exposed to the air, the less brown it will turn. Cover with the lid and refrigerate until chilled, 1-2 hours.
- Set the tart shells out. Spoon the filling into a pastry bag affixed with the tip of your choice or a zipper bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the filling into the tart shells, dividing evenly between each shell (depending on your shells, you should be able to fill them almost to the top).
- Make the coconut whipped cream by following this tutorial for how to make coconut milk whipped cream.
- Place the coconut whipped cream into another pastry bag or zipper bag and pipe over the top of the banana filling. If you'd like to avoid the pudding turning brown on the top, take care to cover the filling entirely with the whipped cream, so that it's not exposed to the air.
- Thinly slice the remaining banana and place it on a plate or in a bowl. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice over the tops of the bananas and toss gently. Top each tart with a banana slice.
- Serve immediately.
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
These are so adorable and they look very tasty! 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Banana cream pie and banana pudding are two of my favorite comfort foods so I know I would down a whole plate of these without thinking twice! They look amazing and I'm in love with the ingredient list too.
Jennifer @ Delicious Everyday says
Ooh!! Those look so cute and yummy!
Michelle @ Boards&knives says
So cute! These would be the perfect little party treat!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
These mini tarts look super cute and delicious! Great Share! 😀
Joanne says
These are so perfect for those moments when I'm home and just want to pop something sweet in my mouth...or a few something sweets. 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Kare,
would you have any suggestions for making this 'nut free'!?
Yep I know… cashews were my life too until my daughter was born with a nut allergy 🙁
Love the look and sound of these for her birthday party… just trying to think of a decent sub!
Hope you don't mind me picking your brain x
Cheers.
rafatar says
looking cute, the taste must be delicious and sweet.
definetly should try to make it someday. 🙂