Creating Banana Cream Pie Bars is straightforward with these easy-to-follow steps:

1. Prepare the Crust:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until well combined.
– Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan to form an even layer.

2. Bake the Crust:
– Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

3. Make the Filling:
– In a large bowl, whisk together milk and instant pudding mix until smooth. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until thickened.
– Gently layer sliced bananas on top of the cooled crust.
– Once the pudding mix is thick, pour it over the banana slices, spreading evenly.

4. Prepare Whipped Topping:
– In another bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
– Carefully spread the whipped cream mixture over the pudding layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.

5. Chill Bars:
– Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up.

6. Serve:
– Once chilled, slice the bars into squares. Garnish with additional banana slices and a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

These simple steps will guide you in creating these incredible Banana Cream Pie Bars effortlessly.