This recipe has been passed down through at least four generations without any real change, and it's my job to make it for holidays.

How to Make a Banana Split Pie

I suppose I'd better start by explaining the caption of that luscious photo above. Banana split pie has been a dessert staple at our family holiday dinners for as long as I can remember. It's an easy-to-make, delicious pie that requires no baking. This recipe has been passed down through at least four generations without any real change—although about 50 years ago, our family changed the name to "rotten egg pie." Apparently, as small children, my siblings and I wanted to know what was in it; we were told that it contained raw eggs. What we heard was "rotten" eggs, not "raw," and it has been called "rotten egg pie" ever since.

This recipe is a very good one to help introduce children to cooking, as it is very easy to make and most children will love the result of their work. I am no chef myself, so this great dessert is my contribution to the extended family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners each year. There is always an excessive number of desserts at our 30-person dinner, with probably 20 different dishes. Nevertheless, the four banana split pies I make always disappear quickly. Every year, this pie wins as the best holiday dessert recipe.

Give it a try. It is very, very rich and a little goes a long way, so don't make too many. One pie per person should be enough (it's that good).

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• 1/2 cup butter (preferred) or margarine
• 1 egg, fresh, not rotten please
• 1 teaspoon extract of vanilla
• 3-4 bananas
• 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely grated
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped into large pieces
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cook Time

Instructions

1. The butter must be soft before using; set it out several hours beforehand. Do not attempt to soften it in a microwave; it has always resulted in "rotten egg soup" instead of pie.
2. Beat the butter with a power mixer until it's creamy. Add eggs and slowly add powdered sugar with the mixer on medium speed. Continue beating for 3 minutes. Do not over-mix at this stage; beat the sugar mixture just until it begins to get fluffy, then blend in the vanilla.
3. Peel most of the bananas (use 2 if they are large, 3 if they are on the small side). Slice the bananas crosswise and sprinkle them lightly with lemon juice to keep them fresh. I prefer to chop the chocolate squares with a knife rather than grate them, as this provides small "chunks" of chocolate. Chop walnuts (or pecans or other nut) into fairly large pieces.
4. Fold bananas, chocolate, and nuts into the sugar mixture. Do not mix with a power mixer, just gently fold the ingredients together. ou want those banana slices to stay as intact as possible.
5. Spoon mixture into the pie crust and smooth, then cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
6. Just before serving, garnish with the last sliced banana and a few maraschino cherries if you like them—the cherries add to the appearance and my family likes them so they get added. Sprinkle with more chocolate or nuts if desired. Bon appetit: You have one of the best holiday dessert recipes ever!

Photo Guide

Various ingredients for "rotten egg" pie.

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© 2010 Dan Harmon

Comments

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on November 16, 2014:

Actually, I've done that with a layer of cream cheese between two layers of pie. Quite good although I prefer the original.

frogyfish from Central United States of America on November 16, 2014:

Sweet. Treat. Neat! And I think I could add a 3 oz pkg of cream cheese to make this a bit less, um, fattening? Your recipe sounds delicious and I must remember this...but I do think I'll add the cheese too. OK? Thanks for a great new 'split' pie!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on January 06, 2014:

LOL Thanks for dropping by, Janshares. If you like sweets, you'll like this one and it really is a snap to make. Good luck!

Janis Leslie Evans from Washington, DC on January 06, 2014:

I had to stop by to see what the hubbub was all about. A pie without baking? My kind of dessert for sure. Congrats on the success of this hub, wilderness. This "Rotten Egg Pie" sounds worth a try for someone who doesn't bake. I love banana pudding so I know this will be yummy. Voted up, useful, funny, awesome, and 5 stars. Love your humor.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on January 05, 2014:

It is great for kids, all right. My 6 year old grandson helped me make a pair for Christmas and even the 4 year old got to lick the beaters and dump the sliced bananas in.

healthmunsta on January 05, 2014:

Hey wilderness, this is an easy recipe and looks good too! I pinned it so I can try it later when I meet up with my siblings - it's a great kid friendly recipe. Gotta rate 5 stars! Thanks!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 30, 2012:

You're more than welcome. If you like rich desserts you will love this one.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on September 30, 2012:

This pie sounds so delicious and so easy to make! I love desserts that I don't have to bake. I found this hub from Susan's post on Facebook, and I'm very glad that I did! Thanks for the recipe.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 28, 2012:

Good to hear you liked the hub, Cloud. It was fun to write and the "work" after was even better. Somebody has to get rid of those rotten eggs and I guess it's me. Although my son visited and helped considerably...

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 28, 2012:

@Natasalh: That will teach you not to follow my links! :)

@Janis, Susan, Judi: Yes, simple is the name of the game here. That's all I do in the kitchen as well - simple - and this holiday dessert fits the bill to a tee.

Mike Pugh from New York City on September 28, 2012:

I gave this hub 5 thumbs up because I love the overall presentation of it, the intro write up, great imagery, and also it was funny the whole renaming of this awesome yummy looking recipe for "Rotten Egg Pie" LOL

Lovely job on this recipe hub here, thanks to Just Ask Susan, I located it on Facebook, and walla I have arrived. Cool stuff!

Oh, I also like the way you write as well and it was very understandable, and well written too, so you just scored yet another follower today, Chat with ya soon.

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on September 28, 2012:

This sounds good and I'll be trying it soon. Love desserts that are simple to make.

Janis Goad on September 28, 2012:

This looks amazing, and so simple. I only do simple in the kitchen. This one's a keeper. Thanks, Dan!

Natasha from Hawaii on September 28, 2012:

I have to admit, I didn't click from your pie crust recipe to see this, even though I was tempted, because I didn't have the time. But then it popped up on my feed! Man, this looks awesome. Some years I get designated to make pies - if this is one of those years, I'll have to make this one!

Judi Brown from UK on September 28, 2012:

Pinning it - my daughter wants to make a dessert with no help from me - this should be perfect!

Sonia Perozzi from California on September 28, 2012:

Yum! I so want to try this, I love banana anything!

Penelope Hart from Rome, Italy on September 28, 2012:

This looks divine. It is pinned - and I'll be able to find it when I like. Voting and sharing.

htodd from United States on May 15, 2011:

Great post!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on February 01, 2011:

You are more than welcome. It is one that we really enjoy a few times a year - it is far too rich to have very often but is very good and very easy to make.

LensMan999 from Trans-Neptunian region on February 01, 2011:

Hello wilderness will surely try this recipe. Because its too easier to prepare at home and also quickly without backing even. Really appreciable recipe. I am going to try it for sure. Thank you so much.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on January 26, 2011:

You'll have fun with her. My granddaughter is 8 and we made one for New Years - it was great working with her, and she learned about licking the beaters!

Tony McGregor from South Africa on January 26, 2011:

My almost nine-year-old is starting to show a bit of interest in cooking, so I'll get her onto this one!

Look forward to the experience!

Love and peace

Tony

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on November 12, 2010:

It is good, at least if you like very rich desserts! And the holidays is one time the family always enjoys this particular pie - it's a tradition in our family now.

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on November 12, 2010:

Banannas and pie? What could be any better? Thanks for an easy to follow and delicious sounding recipe. Just in time for the holidays!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on October 29, 2010:

That's me, too. I'll be taking a couple of banana split pies to the family get together for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the comment.

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on October 28, 2010:

YUM If it weren't so close to Halloween I'd be whipping this out this w/e.

I guess I will have to save it for Thanksgiving. :) Nice job.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on October 26, 2010:

If you like sweets, give it a try. Obviously mostly sugar, and not particularly healthy, but who cares for a holiday dessert?

Tina Truelove on October 26, 2010:

This does sound great. It looks appealing too!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on October 24, 2010:

It is good, but very, very rich. A little piece goes a long way, at least for an hour or so. Then, it's back for more!

Isaiah Michael from Wherever God leads us. on October 24, 2010:

oh man, this sounds great will have to try