This week's TWD was chosen by Spike of Spike Bakes: banana coconut ice cream pie! Spike's a fellow New Englander (there are only a handful of us in TWD as far as I know!) and we bake in a few of the same groups so I already had some fantastic reasons to be excited about her pick this week. When I opened the book to check out the recipe though, my anticipation for this dessert rose to another level. A coconut/shortbread crust filled with a combination of chocolate ice cream and bananas...what's not to like? Actually, I know there are some coconut and banana haters in the group, but I'm not one of them; I was psyched for this recipe - I can't believe I've never taken note of it before when flipping through the book!
I almost always scale back the recipes but this week I decided to make a full-size pie since I had such high hopes. Also, the pie can be kept in the freezer for months so I figured I could make my way through it during that time. I did, however, make a few changes based on some of the recommendations I saw over on this week's P&Q's. I used graham cracker crumbs in the crust instead of shortbread cookie crumbs because that's what I had on hand. The recipe called for a layer of bananas below the ice cream filling, which I skipped. Speaking of the filling, it consists of chocolate ice cream, bananas, rum and lemon juice. I omitted the rum (I found the rum very overpowering in the last recipe we made that called for it) and used only one banana instead of two because I wanted the chocolate ice cream to be the star.
The pie came together easily and really is the perfect summer dessert since it doesn't require any baking - I can't be the only one who doesn't want to turn my oven on when it's 90 degrees out :) I really did love this pie but I'll get my one complaint about it out of the way first. The crust was REALLY hard and though it did soften after the pie sat at room temperature for a little while, by then the ice cream was starting to melt too. Maybe it would be better to make the pie in a springform pan next time. It was fairly easy to look past that flaw because the pie was so yummy! The combination of flavors was wonderful and as I'd hoped, the banana flavor was present but not too prominent. This is a definite repeat here and I especially love that the filling could be varied to include a different kind of ice cream or a different fruit.
Big thanks to Spike for her terrific selection this week! You can find the recipe for the pie on her blog or on page 350 of Baking: From My Home to Yours.
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34 comments:
Oh, I love how you decorated the pie. It really tells anyone what this pie is all about. I like the changes you made.
Ciao Tracey! Your pie looks so beautiful with bananas and coconut !! Mine is still in the freezer !
Your pie looks beautiful! I want to have a slice of yours.
That looks absolutely unreal. I want a giant slice right now!
Your pie looks wonderful, Tracey--I love how you put it together.
Love the look of your pie. Beautifully presented. I made similar changes too although did add the rum. It was for a grown-up dinner party and worked really well.
How did you get yours to look so pretty? I agree, the crust was a little unwieldy but delicious. I used half the rum and it was not overpowering at all.
You should organize a New England TWD get-together...sadly I will be in PA soon!
Beautiful pie, your food always looks so yummy! We loved this dessert I think I will make it often this summer--if summer ever gets here. We had 4 inches of snow yesterday! I love your blog and go to it often for recipes. Thanks.
So glad you liked it (except for that fussy crust!). I think the new england bakers should have a get together sometime this summer!
Gorgeous pie. I bet it tastes wonderful!
Just gorgeous! I would like a piece right now... Breakfast is my favorite time for desert:)
I am New Englander too so I was super excited about this pie. I can't wait to taste mine. Your pictures look great.
What an absolutely beautiful pie. You outdid your self with this one.
Hope mine comes out 1/2 as well as this.
Ilove how you jazzed it up! My pie looks naked in comparison to yours! It was a great recipe and so nice not having to use the oven for a change!
I did a twd rewind...lenox biscotti... b/c bananas/coconut are not my thing :)
your ring of bananas looks wonderful. nice presentation!
looks gorgeous! i also used graham crackers.
I really like your tweaks, and the final presentation is just gorgeous! I didn't use the crust in the recipe, so it's interesting to know it was a bit hard.
I'm always wary of banana-flavored desserts for being too...banana-y. But this looks delicious!
Tracey, I think Dorie will want you for her next cookbook...your styling and plating are superb!
Your pie is just too pretty to eat! I'll have to try chocolate ice cream, it seems.
Fancy, fancy, fancy...you win this week!
Your pie looks so pretty! I also scale recipes back so often that I think it's really fun when I actually make the normal size version.
You win, Tracey. Best looking pie I've seen!
I made ice cream sandwiches instead of the whole pie, so I wouldn't eat too much. I do want to try that crust sometime (I made Dorie's Coconut Butter Thins.)
Seriously looks great! (So does that rhubarb streusel. I love crumb toppings!
Gorgeous looking pie. I made mine in mini tart shells which really helps keep the crust manageable. A springform would work perfectly I think.
Your pie is absolutely stunning! I love how you decorated it! I thought the crust was really hard too. I make ice cream cake with a cookie crust and although I am vehemently opposed to using margarine in anything, I use it in the cake crust because I doesn't freeze as hard and makes a better crust IMHO.
Good call on graham cracker crumbs, that's probably what I'd use too. I definitely want to try making this--some of my favorite flavors and you made it look so pretty!!
a perfect pie! beautiful!
Oh your pie looks absolutely great!! I made minis, well... sorta. The crusts are sitting in my freezer awaiting their filling!
Your pie looks so elegant! I love the way you used the bananas and coconut on top, and your ice cream layer looks so smooth and perfect.
wow, that looks fantastic! great photos! i usually prefer my desserts without banana since i find that flavor so overpowering, but this looks delicious!
Wow.... very wonderful presentation! Mine was melting and unsliceable... but good! Glad you scaled back on the rum - I though the lemon juice was a strange addition and "forgot" to add it! Beautiful pie!
That pie looks beautiful, despite all the problems you had! Wish I had a slice!
Hey! Great site! Thanks for sharing so many recipes :) I noticed the farmer's market pictures were of RI...I'm assuming you live here (RI)? :)
Hi there! Yep, I'm in northern RI - guessing you are too? :)
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