Here’s a rich and creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake recipe that combines the classic flavors of banana pudding with the indulgence of cheesecake!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs (from Nilla wafers or similar cookies)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- ½ cup heavy cream
For the Banana Topping:
- 2-3 bananas (sliced)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (cold)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- Vanilla wafers (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix the vanilla wafer crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is well combined and holds together when pressed.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form a crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until just combined.
- Add the pudding mix and heavy cream, and beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Bake the Cheesecake:
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Turn off the oven and crack the door slightly, allowing the cheesecake to cool gradually for 1 hour.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Make the Whipped Cream Topping:
- In a large bowl, whip the cold heavy cream and powdered sugar together until soft peaks form.
- Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the top of the chilled cheesecake.
5. Assemble the Banana Pudding Cheesecake:
- Before serving, layer the top with sliced bananas.
- Garnish with whole or crushed vanilla wafers around the edges or on top of the whipped cream for extra texture.
6. Serve:
- Slice and serve chilled. You can add more bananas and vanilla wafers as a garnish on each slice for a beautiful presentation.
This Banana Pudding Cheesecake combines the smooth creaminess of cheesecake with the comforting flavors of banana pudding and crunchy vanilla wafers for a dessert that’s as fun as it is delicious!