The history of Banoffee tart

The Banoffee pie, also known as "Banoffee Pie," is an iconic British dessert whose popularity has spread worldwide. Its name is derived from the combination of two main ingredients: "banana" and "toffee." This delicious dessert features a crunchy biscuit or pastry base, fresh bananas, rich toffee caramel, and whipped cream, often garnished with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of coffee powder.

The origin of the Banoffee pie dates back to 1971, when Ian Dowding and Nigel Mackenzie, the chef and owner of The Hungry Monk restaurant in Jevington, East Sussex, UK, created the recipe. According to popular accounts, Mackenzie and Dowding were experimenting with an American recipe called "Blum’s Coffee Toffee Pie" but felt it was missing something. After several unsuccessful attempts, they added banana, and the resulting combination was so successful that it became the restaurant’s signature dessert.

The original Banoffee pie recipe consisted of a shortcrust pastry base, toffee (made from condensed milk), banana, and whipped cream. However, over time, more popular versions have used a biscuit crumb base, similar to that of a cheesecake. This variation is quicker and easier to prepare, which has contributed to its widespread appeal.

In the decades that followed, Banoffee pie became extremely popular across the UK and beyond. In 1984, the recipe was included in the restaurant’s cookbook The Deeper Secrets of the Hungry Monk, helping to solidify its place in culinary history. Dowding has even expressed surprise at how quickly the recipe spread, so much so that in 1994, the term "banoffee" was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

In addition to its delicious flavor, Banoffee pie stands out for being a simple dessert to prepare with accessible ingredients. This has made it a favorite in households worldwide. Many variations of the pie now include additions like chocolate or coffee, but the core concept remains the same: the perfect combination of banana and toffee.

Today, Banoffee pie is a classic of British baking and remains just as popular as it was in its early days. Its blend of simple yet effective flavors has kept it relevant in international culinary scenes, where it continues to be reinterpreted in various ways without losing its original essence.