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Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie

My Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie is a beautiful vegan dessert made from 6 ingredients. Full of flavor from dates, peanuts, bananas, and coconut nectar. Gluten free and easy.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

Friends, here is my newest dessert dream for you. A vegan cream pie so unlike any that you have seen before. Cream Pies are in some way my to-go cake type for desserts.

Sure, I have more than that, like my Vegan Buckeye Brownies or the Lemon Cheesecake Mousse – or more that you can find by browsing around.

It has not been long since I brought you my Lemon Banana Cream Pie to enjoy. I told you then that I thought that this was seriously the best Banana Cream Pie I’ve ever eaten.

It was a full high five for a new addition, and with today’s Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie, we will top even that one.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

Back in pre vegan days, I remember that there was an ice cream parlor close to where I lived. You could go inside and enjoy your ice cream or on sunny days sit on a small terrace.

They had so many amazing combinations of flavors and toppings to choose from. Seriously I’ve been, and think I still am, an ice cream kid. And one of my most favorite flavors there was a chunky monkey ice cream.

For those of you who have never heard this before: It was a banana flavor creamy ice cream, thick chocolate chunks and then everything was topped with nuts.

You had the whole world to choose from what nuts you preferred. Think of walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts and many more. Life is full of difficult decisions.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

So you get the idea how this banana cream pie is inspired by my love for chunky monkey ice cream. If you know me a bit, you know that I have a big soft spot for peanut butter.

For real, give me a big jar and a spoon and I’m a happy guy. I could eat this stuff pure for hours, or just with some veggies or fruits.

Obviously, this Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie had to include peanuts.

I hope you’re are all prepared for the most addicting and delicious vegan Dessert & Cake seduction. You can be sure this Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie is:

Chocolatey, precious, a modern addition, life embellishing just by eating this, no joke or false exceptions, creamy, made for company and sharing, drool-worthy, incredibly delicious, and so satisfying.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

You see, I could tell you many more ways how much I love this and you will, too. But seriously, it’s best to let it speak for itself. So we need to make this, shall we?

First hop over to a blender or food processor. Combine medjool dates, 1/2 banana (reserve the other half for the garnish), peanuts, coconut nectar in its bowl.

Pulse and combine until the mixture forms a rough dough. Be careful not to over process this!

Add chocolate chunks to that blender or food processor bowl and just combine with a spatula (this way we don’t need an extra bowl for that).

Then press the dough into a 7 inch springform that you have prepared with parchment paper, or greased with a bit of coconut oil. Set aside and chill.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

Next and last step is to prepare the filling: Again, head over to a blender or food processor. Add all the filling ingredients to that bowl and process until really smooth and creamy. You don’t want any peanut butter chunks in that.

It should be really smooth like creamy and smooth peanut butter. When you have it like that, give the filling over the dough, garnish with chocolate shavings, banana slices and peanuts. Chill again or enjoy right away.

I tried this Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie with maple syrup, too, instead of coconut nectar. However, I found that only coconut nectar gives this cake the elegant caramel note, which takes it to the next level.

It’s really delicious with maple syrup, no question, but if you have access to coconut nectar, please use it!

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

This caramel note reminds me also of one of my all time favorite chocolate bars from pre vegan days: snickers.

You for sure can see that my heart jumps up and down with joy when I’m talking about this candy bar after I made amy own Vegan Snickers Bars. They are so much better and homemade.

This Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie you can serve at special occasions like date nights for your special girl or guy, get togethers, potlucks, family events, or just for you because you have a craving.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

 

No matter for what or when you make this, you will be always the show star. I made this for friends, vegan or not, everyone agreed: this is just what we all need in our lives.

You don’t need to love bananas to love this cream pie, absolutely not.

It’s just the combination which is so so addictive and delicious.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

Enjoy this must make Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie

I mentioned before that only coconut nectar can create the elegant and delicious caramel note here. But for real there is so much more to why coconut nectar is a great ingredient:

There are a lot of amino acids in there (17 to be precise), it’s a fantastic alternative to sugar due to its low glycemic index. Therefore it help you feel fuller than with regular sugar, so whenever you eat this Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie you just need a small slice to keep you feel full.

Compare that to a cream pie which is made with a lot of sugar! You will definitely need a bigger slice or two to keep full.

Coconut nectar is also high in zinc, and magnesium. I suggest you read “Coconut Nectar: A Healthy Vegan Substitute for Sugar, Honey” to find you even more about this delicious sweetener alternative.

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

If you give this beauty a try, tag me on Facebook or Instagram, take a picture, can’t wait for all your glorious creations.

See you soon, reserve a slice for me, Florian!

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking

Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie

Yield: 16
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

My Chunky Monkey Banana Cream Pie is a beautiful vegan dessert made from 6 ingredients. Full of flavor from dates, peanuts, bananas, and coconut nectar. Gluten free and easy.

Ingredients

For the cake bottom:

  • 2 cups Medjool Dates
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 1/2 Tbs coconut nectar
  • 1 1/2 heaping cups unsalted peanuts
  • 1/3 cup vegan dark chocolate, broke into pieces

For the filling:

  • 3 cups unsalted peanuts
  • 8 oz vegan cream cheese
  • 1/2 heaping cup coconut nectar

For garnish:

  • vegan dark chocolate shavings (I used a knife, but feel free to use a mandolin for similar results)
  • 1 1/2 bananas
  • unsalted peanuts

Instructions

  1. Combine medjool dates, 1/2 banana (reserve the other half for the garnish), peanuts, coconut nectar in the bowl of a blender or food processor. Pulse and combine until the mixture forms a rough dough. Be careful not to over proces this!
  2. Add chocolate chunks to that blender or food processor bowl and just combine with a spatula (this way we don’t need an extra bowl for that). Then press the dough into a 7 inch springform that you have prepared with parchment paper, or greased with a bit of coconut oil. Set a side and chill.
  3. To make the filling, add all the filling ingredients to that blender or food processor bowl and process until really smooth and creamy. You don’t want any peanut butter chunks in that.
  4. Give the filling over the dough, garnish with chocolate shavings, banana slices and peanuts. Chill again or enjoy right away.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 325Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5.7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 370mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2.4gSugar: 27gProtein: 5.6g

Heidi

Monday 11th of December 2017

Can i use peanut butter or some other type of nut butter instead of the peanuts for the filling? Wouldn't it be easier? And also how much would i use if i did it that way?

Florian

Monday 11th of December 2017

Hi Heidi! I've never tried that before, but I guess it might work. I would use 2 heaping cups of any nut butter you like. Please understand that will change the texture a bit, so I can't vouch for accurate results. If you try this let me know what you think. I'm excited to hear about your experience.

brandi doming

Friday 24th of February 2017

This is sooooo pretty Florian and the closeup shots are amazing! Makes you want to just jump through the screen. I love how you decorated the tops with the banana slices and chocolate shavings, so elegant. And that filling looks like the perfect texture...a little firm but still soft! I love peanuts but rarely ever eat them, but this looks like the perfect way to break them out!

Florian @ContentednessCooking

Friday 24th of February 2017

Thanks so much, friend! ?

Den Isa

Thursday 23rd of February 2017

Can I use cashews instead of peanuts and maple syrup instead of the coconut nectar?

Florian @ContentednessCooking

Thursday 23rd of February 2017

You can use cashews instead of peanuts. Maple syrup will work, too. Let me know what you think!

Michelle Nahom

Thursday 23rd of February 2017

What a gorgeous dessert! I love that it is so easy too!

Florian @ContentednessCooking

Thursday 23rd of February 2017

Thanks, Michelle!

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