I remember the first time I had Banoffee pie-it was a revelation. A friend made it for a gathering, and I was hooked immediately. The combination of smooth toffee, sweet bananas, and rich cream was like magic on my taste buds. It felt like a dessert that would require hours of work, yet it turns out, you can make a stunning Banoffee pie in no time at all.
One of my go-to recipes for Banoffee pie is Jamie Oliver’s 5-ingredient version. When I first stumbled upon it, I was skeptical. How could such a simple recipe compare to the ones with endless steps and ingredients? But as soon as I tried it, I knew I was on to something special. Jamie’s 5-ingredient recipe is proof that you don’t need complexity to create something extraordinary. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying.
Jamie Oliver’s Banoffee Pie 5-ingredients Recipe
Jamie’s take on Banoffee pie cuts out all the fuss. With only five ingredients, it’s perfect for when you want a treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Digestive biscuits – These form the base of the pie, giving it that crumbly crunch.
- Sweetened condensed milk – This is the heart of the toffee layer, which you cook to perfection.
- Bananas – The fresh bananas bring a burst of sweetness and balance the richness.
- Double cream – This adds a velvety smoothness to the pie, making it irresistible.
- Butter – Just a little butter is used to bind the biscuit base.
This simplified version is quick, yet you still get all the flavors that make Banoffee pie a classic. The secret? Letting the condensed milk become toffee without needing to spend hours boiling it down!
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to pull this together:
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200g Digestive Biscuits
These crunchy biscuits are perfect for creating that base with just the right amount of texture.
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100g Butter
The butter binds the biscuits together and gives the crust a golden, rich flavor.
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397g Tin Of Sweetened Condensed Milk
This is the key to creating the toffee. Sweetened condensed milk caramelizes when cooked, turning into that creamy, luscious layer.
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3 Ripe Bananas
Choose bananas that are perfectly ripe. They should be just soft enough to slice easily but not overripe.
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300ml Double Cream
This is the topping that completes the pie, making every bite smooth and indulgent.
How To Make Jamie Oliver’s Banoffee Pie 5-ingredients
This recipe is as easy as it gets. Here’s how to do it:
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Crush The Digestive Biscuits
- Place the biscuits in a zip-lock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs. If you have a food processor, you can use that to make things faster. You’ll need about 200g of crumbs.
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Melt The Butter
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, combine it with the crushed biscuits in a bowl. Mix until the crumbs are fully coated with butter.
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Make The Toffee
- Pour the condensed milk into a saucepan. Stir it continuously over low heat for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens and turns a golden caramel color. This is your toffee layer. Patience is key here! Keep stirring to avoid burning.
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Assemble The Pie
- Press the buttery biscuit crumbs into the bottom of a pie dish or tart pan to form a solid crust. Once the toffee is ready, pour it over the biscuit base, smoothing it out evenly.
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Add The Bananas
- Slice the ripe bananas and arrange them on top of the toffee layer.
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Top With Whipped Cream
- Whip the double cream until it forms soft peaks, then spoon it generously over the bananas.
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Chill And Serve
- Refrigerate the pie for about an hour before serving to let everything set.
There you have it! A show-stopping dessert made with just five ingredients.
Ingredient Science Spotlight
Each ingredient in Jamie’s Banoffee pie plays a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
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Digestive Biscuits
The biscuit crust is made from crushed digestive biscuits because of their slightly sweet flavor and crisp texture. The fat content in the biscuits helps to create a base that firms up when chilled.
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Sweetened Condensed Milk
The condensed milk undergoes a fascinating transformation. When you heat it, the milk’s sugar caramelizes, creating the iconic toffee flavor. It’s all about slow cooking here-heat it too quickly, and it could burn.
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Bananas
Bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. As the creamy toffee layer and rich whipped cream can be heavy, the bananas balance the richness with their lighter, fresh flavor.
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Double Cream
The heavy cream is whipped to add a luxurious texture to the pie. It also helps lighten the flavor, cutting through the density of the toffee and making the whole dessert feel indulgent without being overwhelming.
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Butter
The butter in the base makes the biscuits stick together and adds a richness that elevates the whole dessert. It’s a key player in giving the crust a golden color and decadent flavor.
Expert Tips
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Crust Tip
If you want an extra crispy crust, bake the biscuit base for 10 minutes at 180°C (350°F) before adding the toffee. This gives it more structure.
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Banana Placement
If you want your bananas to stay fresh and not brown, you can drizzle a little lemon juice over the sliced bananas before layering them in the pie.
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Chill It Well
Let the pie chill for at least an hour before serving. It allows the flavors to meld and the cream to set properly.
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Whipping Cream
Don’t over-whip your cream. It should be light and airy, not stiff. Over-whipped cream can become too dense and may spoil the texture.
Recipe Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some ways to play around with Jamie’s classic Banoffee pie recipe:
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Chocolate Drizzle
Add a layer of melted chocolate over the toffee for a chocolatey twist. You could even add some cocoa powder to the cream to make it a chocolatey Banoffee pie.
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Add Nuts
Chopped hazelnuts or almonds can add a delightful crunch to the dessert. Sprinkle them over the top before serving for a more complex texture.
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Vegan Option
Substitute the butter with coconut oil and use coconut cream for the topping. You can also find vegan condensed milk or make your own with coconut milk and sugar.
Final Words
Banoffee pie is one of those desserts that seems fancy but doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. Jamie Oliver’s 5-ingredient version takes all the complexity out of the equation, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s sweet, creamy, and full of comforting flavors.
FAQs
What Are The 5 Ingredients In Jamie Oliver’s Banoffee Pie?
The 5 ingredients are digestive biscuits, butter, bananas, dulce de leche, and double cream.
How Long Does It Take To Make Jamie Oliver’s 5-ingredients Banoffee Pie?
It takes about 30 minutes to prepare the pie, plus some time to chill.
Can I Make Jamie Oliver’s Banoffee Pie Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance and keep it in the fridge.