Banoffee Pie With Homemade Dulce De Leche

This pie was originally created in a pub in England. I had it for the first time on a study abroad in London, and begged my house mother for the recipe. I never knew making your own Dulce de Leche was so easy!

Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 prepared graham cracker crust

bananas

1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp granulated sugar (optional)

chocolate bar for garnish

Start by removing the label from your can of sweetened condensed milk. Place can in a large pot and fill with water until can is covered by at least an inch. Bring to a boil.

DO NOT leave can unattended while boiling - if the water level drops below the level of the can, the can will overheat and explode. Check your can consistently and replenish the water in the pot when it gets close to the can. I had to replace the water about every 20-30 minutes.

Boiling times:

1.5 hours - yields a pourable dulce de leche perfect for topping ice cream, waffles, etc.

2-2.5 hours - yields a soft-set dulce de leche perfect for filling pies, cakes, and cookies (I boiled the can in these pictures for 2 hours exactly - I will probably do it a bit longer next time I make this pie)

3-4 hours - yields a more solid dulce de leche (similar to the consistency of canned cranberry sauce) that can be sliced and served with fruit

When boiling time is up, remove pot from heat and let can sit in hot water for 20 minutes. Remove with tongs to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Open your can and enjoy your homemade dulce de leche!

Quick tip - boil several cans at once, and store cooled unopened cans in the pantry for next time you want to make this pie!

Slice bananas into 1/4 inch slices. Cover the bottom of your pie crust with bananas. Top bananas with 1/2 of your dulce de leche. Repeat with another layer of bananas and dulce de lehce. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow dulce de leche to set.

Just before serving, whip 1 1/2 c whipping cream with 1 Tbsp sugar (if desired) until stiff peaks form. Spread on top of pie. Top pie with grated chocolate. Serve and enjoy!