One banana, two banana, three banana, four...

One good banana recipe deserves another. I very much enjoyed trying the Banana Split Pie posted a few days back. Here are a few of my favorite sweet banana recipes:

No Cook Banana Cream Cheese Pie

1 pie shell - 9 in.
1 can (1 1/3 c) sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
3 medium sliced bananas
1/3 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Let cream cheese stand at room temperature until it has softened. Slice two of the bananas and layer in the pie shell. Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy; gradually beat in the condensed milk. When the mix is smooth, stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the layered bananas. Refrigerate for around 2 hours. Just before serving slice the third banana and layer on top. You may also want to add whip cream or Cool Whip to the top. If you happen to have any maraschino cherries, pop one in the center!

I have also layered blueberries and other fruit with the bananas.

Banana Fruit Pie (makes 3 pies)

Cool Whip
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 pkg. orange jello
1 can sour pitted pie cherries, drained
1 can (large) crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1/4 c. flour
5 sliced bananas
1 c. nuts (optional)
3 baked pie shells

Bring pineapple, sugar and flour to a boil. Add jello and remove from heat. Cool. Add sliced bananas, cherries and optional nuts. Pour mix into pie shells and chill. Top with Cool Whip.

Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Pie

1 9 in. pie shell
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. chunky peanut butter (add more nuts if you'd like!)
2 (3 1/4 oz.) pkg. vanilla pudding mix
3 c. milk
2 - 4 bananas (depending on how well you like them!)
1/3 c. lemon juice
Cool Whip or whipped cream

Mix powdered sugar and peanut butter together until mealy. Spread 2/3 of the mixture over bottom of BAKED pie shell (see pie shell instructions). Place pudding mix in microwave safe bowl and stir in just enough milk to dissolve the pudding smoothly. Then stir in the rest of the mix using a wire whisk (or fork if you don't have one). Cook in microwave on high power for 6 - 9 minutes until thickened (may not take as long depending on your microwave). Stir every 2 - 3 minutes to mix well and to gauge needed cooking time. Pour into pie shell on top of the peanut butter mixture. Slice bananas. Pour lemon juice over the bananas and mix lightly to coat (lemon juice will keep the bananas from turning brown). Layer on top of pie. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 peanut butter mix on top. Chill. Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream.

A variation is to add a layer of your favorite jam before adding the bananas.

All right ladies, those are my favorite of all favorite banana dessert recipes. I've added the Banana Split Pie to the list.