Banana-Rum Cream Cake - serves 12

Butter cookie crumb crust:
1 1/2 cups finely ground butter cookies
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Banana filling:
7 ripe bananas, divided
3/4 cup whole milk
8 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp dark rum
1 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
3 cups heavy cream

Make the cookie crumb crust:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees(F). Butter the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
In a small bowl, combine the ground butter cookies and melted butter. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned; set aside to cool.

Make the banana filling:
Cut 5 of the bananas into 1-inch pieces and combine with the milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree the banana mixture until smooth. Pour into a medium bowl and stir the white chocolate into the mixture until completely melted; set aside to cool.
Place the dark rum in a small microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over and let stand for 5 minutes to soften.
Microwave the gelatin mixture on HIGH for 7 seconds until melted. Let stand 2 minutes. Stir 1/2 cup of the banana purse into the gelatin. Fold the banana gelatin mixture into the remainder of the banana puree and set aside.
In the 4 1/2-quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the wire whip attachment, whip the cream until stiff peaks start to form. Stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the banana filling to lighten it and then fold in the remaining whipped cream in three additions. The filling may have a slightly grainy appearance. Cut the remaining bananas into 1/4-inch pieces. Place the banana slices evenly over the bottom of the crust. Spoon the filling into the cooled crust and refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight until set.
Run an offset spatula around the outer edge of the pie to loosen. Remove springform ring and garnish pie with whipped cream and fresh banana slices.