Dreamy Banana Cheesecake Recipe: Silky Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Banana cheesecake elevates ordinary dessert into a creamy, dreamy adventure of tropical delight.

Sweet, ripe bananas meld perfectly with rich, velvety cream cheese, creating a harmonious flavor profile that dances across your palate.

The classic dessert receives a playful twist through this unexpected combination of ingredients.

Smooth textures and caramelized banana notes elevate this treat beyond standard bakery offerings.

Decadent layers promise a sophisticated yet approachable experience for home bakers of all skill levels.

Subtle hints of warmth and comfort radiate from each carefully crafted slice.

Indulge in a dessert that celebrates familiar comfort with elegant culinary creativity.

Banana Cheesecake That’s Creamy and Sweet

• Transform Bananas into Golden Delights: Roasting bananas with brown sugar caramelizes their natural sweetness, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire cheesecake experience.
• Craft a Luxurious Creamy Texture: The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and carefully incorporated eggs produces an incredibly smooth, velvety cheesecake that melts perfectly in your mouth.
• Layer Flavor Sensations: Strategically adding sliced bananas within the batter and topping with vanilla pudding and whipped cream creates multiple taste dimensions that make each bite an exciting culinary adventure.
• Foolproof Comfort Dessert: Despite multiple steps, this recipe offers straightforward techniques that allow home bakers of various skill levels to create a stunning dessert perfect for family gatherings or special celebrations.

Ingredients for a Smooth Banana Cheesecake Base

• Nilla Wafers: Classic cookie base with sweet, crumbly texture perfect for creating a sturdy cheesecake foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to enhance the cookie crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and provides rich, golden flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich dairy product that creates the classic cheesecake texture and tangy flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling and balances cream cheese's tanginess.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creamy tang to the cheesecake batter.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cheesecake filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet aromatic notes.
• Roasted Bananas: Deeply caramelized bananas that add intense, rich banana flavor to the cheesecake.

• Bananas: Fresh sliced bananas for layering and additional banana flavor.
• Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creates a smooth, sweet layer with classic vanilla taste.
• Whole Milk: Used to prepare the pudding mix.
• Heavy Cream: Base for creating light, fluffy whipped cream topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds aromatic flavor to the whipped cream.

Instructions for a No-Crack, Even Bake

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Bananas

Crank oven to 400°F (204°C). Place banana halves on a lined baking sheet with cut side facing up. Sprinkle with brown sugar, flip, and roast for 10 minutes. Mash thoroughly and let cool completely.

Step 2: Create Nilla Wafer Crust

• Nilla wafer crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Mix ingredients until well combined. Press mixture firmly into bottom of springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and cool.

Step 3: Whip Up Cheesecake Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar

• Sour cream
• Roasted mashed bananas
• Vanilla extract

Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition.

Step 4: Assemble Cheesecake

Pour one-third of batter over prepared crust. Arrange sliced bananas evenly. Cover with remaining batter. Create water bath by placing springform pan in larger baking dish filled with hot water.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide cheesecake into oven. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Look for slight jiggle in center when gently shaken.

Step 6: Craft Vanilla Pudding Layer

Whisk pudding powder with milk. Refrigerate until set and chilled.

Step 7: Whip Cream Topping

• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Blend until medium-stiff peaks form.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Once cheesecake has completely cooled, spread pudding layer across top. Pipe or spread whipped cream. Garnish with banana chips, chocolate shavings, or caramel drizzle.

Helpful Hints for Setting and Cooling

• Roast Bananas with Care: Ensure bananas are evenly coated with brown sugar and roast just until caramelized, avoiding burning for the best flavor depth.
• Crush Wafers Finely: Pulse Nilla Wafers in a food processor for uniform, fine crumbs that create a perfectly compact and crisp crust.
• Prevent Cheesecake Cracks: Gently incorporate eggs, avoiding overmixing, and use a water bath to maintain consistent oven moisture and prevent surface splitting.
• Temperature Matters: Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter.
• Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate cheesecake overnight to develop rich flavors and achieve a perfectly set, creamy consistency.

Storage Notes to Preserve Its Flavor

• Refrigerate: Wrap cheesecake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep chilled for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Place whole cheesecake or individual slices in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture changes and maintain creamy consistency.

Foods and Beverages That Work Well With It

• Sip Caramel Coffee Companion: Pair this rich banana cheesecake with a smooth caramel latte to complement the dessert's creamy texture and enhance the roasted banana sweetness.
• Harmonize with Dessert Wine: Select a late harvest Riesling or moscato that brings out the cake's fruity notes and balances its decadent creaminess with a light, sweet profile.
• Craft a Rum-Infused Refreshment: Mix a banana rum cocktail or spiced rum old-fashioned that echoes the dessert's tropical banana undertones and provides a warming contrast to the cool cheesecake.
• Create Nutty Crunch Garnish: Sprinkle toasted pecans or almonds on top to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that elevates the existing wafer crust and creamy banana flavors.

Flavor Additions for Different Takes

• Tropical Banana Bliss: Swap Nilla wafers with graham crackers and add toasted coconut flakes to the crust for a tropical flavor profile.
• Caramel Banana Dream: Drizzle caramel sauce between banana layers and on top of the finished cheesecake for extra richness.
• Chocolate Banana Explosion: Mix melted dark chocolate into half the cheesecake batter and create a marbled effect before baking, adding chocolate chips on top for extra decadence.
• Nutty Banana Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the crust and sprinkle roasted nuts on top of the whipped cream for added texture and nutty flavor.

Banana Cheesecake Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Luscious banana cheesecake brings Caribbean sweetness to classic dessert lovers. Creamy layers of ripe bananas and velvety cream cheese create an irresistible slice that transports you to tropical paradise with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Roasted Bananas:

• 2 medium bananas
• 1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar

Main Ingredients:

• 32 ounces (900g) full-fat block cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 to 2 medium bananas
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 8 ounces (226g) full-fat sour cream, room temperature

Crust and Additional Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (155g) Nilla Wafer crumbs (about 32–34 cookies)
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.25 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 box (1.7 ounces/48g) instant vanilla pudding
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) cold milk

Whipped Cream Topping:

• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 0.5 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Transform ripe bananas into a caramelized delight by arranging them cut-side up on a lined baking sheet, generously dusting with brown sugar. Roast in a preheated 400ºF oven until they develop a rich, golden-brown caramelization.
2. Gently crush Nilla wafers into fine crumbs, blending them with melted butter and a touch of sugar to create a robust crust foundation. Press the mixture firmly into the base of a springform pan, creating an even layer.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF and prebake the crust until lightly golden, ensuring a crisp and stable base for the cheesecake.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating sugar to create a luxurious texture. Fold in sour cream, mashed roasted bananas, and fragrant vanilla extract.
5. Introduce eggs one at a time, gently folding to maintain the batter’s delicate consistency. Carefully layer the mixture, interspersing sliced fresh bananas between two batter portions.
6. Prepare a water bath to ensure uniform, gentle baking, protecting the cheesecake from harsh direct heat. Bake until the center maintains a subtle wobble, indicating perfect creamy consistency.
7. While the cheesecake cools, prepare a silky vanilla pudding by whisking pudding mix with milk until thickened and chilled.
8. Craft a cloud-like whipped cream by beating heavy cream with sugar and vanilla, achieving medium-stiff peaks that will crown the dessert.
9. Once completely cooled, spread the chilled vanilla pudding across the cheesecake’s surface, creating a smooth canvas for the whipped cream topping.
10. Garnish with a final flourish of whipped cream, perhaps adding additional banana slices or a sprinkle of crushed Nilla wafers for textural contrast.

Notes

• Roasting bananas intensifies their natural sweetness and adds deep caramel undertones to the cheesecake’s flavor profile.
• Using a water bath prevents cracks and ensures a silky, smooth cheesecake texture by creating gentle, even heat.
• Nilla Wafer crust provides a nostalgic, buttery crunch that perfectly complements the creamy banana cheesecake filling.
• Layer sliced bananas between cheesecake batter for surprise bursts of fruit and a visually appealing presentation.
• Chilling the cheesecake overnight allows flavors to meld and helps achieve the ideal firm yet creamy consistency.
• Vanilla pudding layer adds an extra luxurious touch and creates a beautiful, professional-looking dessert topping.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 34g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 100mg