Irresistible Banana Cheesecake Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Creamy, dreamy banana cheesecake brings a burst of tropical sweetness to your dessert table.

Rich cream cheese blends perfectly with ripe, mashed bananas for an irresistible treat.

The silky smooth texture melts on your tongue, creating a heavenly experience.

Warm vanilla notes dance through each decadent bite, complementing the natural banana flavor.

This dessert strikes a delightful balance between tangy and sweet, promising pure indulgence.

Chocolate cookie crust adds a delicious crunch that elevates every single slice.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create something truly magical.

Dive into this delectable banana cheesecake and treat yourself to a slice of pure comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 348 kcal

Servings: 13

Banana Cheesecake: Must-Have Ingredients

• Nilla Wafers: Buttery, sweet cookies that create a crisp and delightful foundation with rich, nostalgic flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps bind the crust together.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps compress the crumb base for a solid texture.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy, tangy cornerstone that delivers luxurious, smooth texture to the dessert.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the cream cheese's tang and enhances overall sweetness.
• Sour Cream: Introduces a subtle tang and contributes to a silky, moist cheesecake consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex depth and aromatic sweetness.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, ensuring a perfect cheesecake consistency.

• Ripe Bananas: Brings natural sweetness, moisture, and intense banana flavor to the dessert.
• Brown Sugar: Caramelizes during roasting, deepening the banana's natural sugars and creating complex flavor.

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder: Creates a smooth, creamy layer with classic vanilla essence.
• Whole Milk: Activates pudding mix and adds richness.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips into light, airy topping with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream.

Kitchen Tools for Creamy Banana Cheesecake

• Springform pan: Essential for creating a smooth, tall cheesecake with easy removal.
• Baking sheet: Needed for roasting bananas with brown sugar.
• Electric mixer: Critical for beating cream cheese, sugar, and whipping cream smoothly.
• Mixing bowls: Various sizes for preparing different components of the dessert.
• Whisk: Useful for mixing pudding powder and blending ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape bowl edges.
• Cooling rack: Perfect for letting cheesecake and crust cool properly.
• Knife: Needed for slicing bananas and serving the final dessert.

Step-by-Step Baking for Banana Cheesecake

• Banana Transformation

Slice bananas and sprinkle with golden-brown sugar. Roast in a hot oven until caramelized and soft, creating a rich, sweet essence. Let the bananas cool and develop deeper flavors.

• Crispy Cookie Foundation

Crush vanilla wafers into fine crumbs and blend with melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a round baking pan, creating a sturdy base that will hold the creamy filling.

• Silky Cream Blend

Whip cream cheese until smooth and light. Gradually fold in ripe roasted bananas, creating a luxurious mixture. Gently incorporate eggs one by one, ensuring a velvety texture without overbeating.

• Gentle Baking Process

Pour the luscious batter into the prepared crust. Strategically place fresh banana slices throughout the layers. Bake in a warm water bath, allowing the cheesecake to set slowly and prevent cracking.

• Dreamy Topping

Prepare a cloud-like cream topping by whipping heavy cream with a touch of sweetness. Create soft peaks that will crown the decadent dessert with elegance.

• Final Touch

Once completely cooled, spread a delicate layer of vanilla pudding across the surface. Top with the whipped cream, creating swirls and peaks that promise indulgence.

Flavor Combinations for Banana Cheesecake

• Caramelize bananas in the oven to intensify their natural sweetness and create a more complex taste profile for your cheesecake.
• Cool the Nilla wafer crust completely before adding the cheesecake filling to maintain a crisp, crunchy texture that complements the creamy filling.
• Experiment with different banana ripeness levels to adjust the fruit's flavor – overripe bananas provide a more robust taste, while firmer bananas offer a subtle banana hint.
• Drizzle caramel sauce, sprinkle chopped nuts, or add chocolate shavings on top to personalize the cheesecake and make it visually stunning.
• Replace Nilla wafers with graham crackers, chocolate cookies, or toasted coconut for unique base flavors that complement the banana cheesecake.

How to Serve Banana Cheesecake Like a Pro

• Banana Bliss Garnish: Sprinkle caramelized banana chips or fresh banana slices around the edges for a beautiful, tropical presentation that adds crunch and extra banana flavor.
• Caramel Drizzle Delight: Warm caramel sauce cascading down the sides creates a luxurious, golden waterfall that complements the creamy cheesecake and roasted banana notes.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Scattered toasted chopped pecans or macadamia nuts provide a delightful textural contrast and earthy warmth that elevates the dessert's complexity.
• Chocolate Accent Finish: Delicate chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder adds sophisticated depth and introduces a rich, decadent element to the creamy banana cheesecake.

Keeping Banana Cheesecake Fresh in the Fridge

• Fridge Friendly Storage: Keep the banana cheesecake covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The chilled environment helps maintain the creamy texture and prevents flavor absorption from other foods.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cheesecake up to 3 days before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together, creating a more intense banana essence.
• Freezer Survival Guide: Wrap individual slices or the whole cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and taste restoration.
• Portion Control Strategy: Cut the cheesecake into individual slices before storing. This approach makes grabbing a quick dessert super convenient and helps prevent repeated temperature fluctuations that can compromise the cake's quality.

Silky Banana Cheesecake Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy banana cheesecake blends sweet, tropical flavors with classic New York style. Smooth cream cheese and ripe bananas create a luxurious dessert you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 32 oz (900g) full-fat block cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 8 oz (226g) full-fat sour cream, room temperature
• 1 to 2 medium bananas
• 2 medium bananas (for roasting)
• 1.5 cups (155g) Nilla Wafer crumbs (about 32–34 cookies)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 0.5 box (1.7 oz/48g) instant vanilla pudding
• 4 tbsps (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold milk
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp firmly packed light brown sugar
• 0.25 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tbsp granulated sugar
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Bananas: Slice ripe bananas, arrange on a lined baking sheet, dust with brown sugar, and roast at 400ºF until golden-brown and caramelized.
2. Prepare Crust: Crush Nilla wafers into fine crumbs, mix with melted butter and sugar. Press evenly into a springform pan, then prebake at 325ºF until lightly golden.
3. Create Cheesecake Batter: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually add sugar, then incorporate sour cream, roasted mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Gently fold in eggs one at a time, maintaining a delicate consistency.
4. Assemble and Bake: Layer batter in the crust, interspersing with fresh banana slices. Place the pan in a water bath and bake until the center has a subtle wobble, indicating perfect creamy texture.
5. Prepare Toppings: Whisk pudding mix with milk until thickened, then chill. Separately, beat heavy cream with sugar and vanilla to create medium-stiff peaks.
6. Finish and Decorate: Once completely cooled, spread chilled vanilla pudding over the cheesecake. Top with whipped cream, garnishing with additional banana slices or crushed Nilla wafers for a delightful textural contrast.

Notes

• Caramelize Bananas Carefully: Roast ripe bananas with brown sugar to intensify their natural sweetness and create a deeper flavor profile for the cheesecake.
• Master Crust Technique: Press Nilla wafer crumbs firmly and evenly to prevent crumbling and ensure a sturdy, crisp foundation for the dessert.
• Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Use a water bath and gentle folding technique to maintain a smooth, creamy texture and avoid unsightly surface cracks.
• Layering Matters: Strategically place fresh banana slices between cheesecake batter layers to distribute fruit flavor and create beautiful visual interest.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 348
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg