Description
Rich banana pudding delight cheesecake blends Southern comfort with creamy decadence. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and velvety cream create a nostalgic dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ripe bananas, thinly sliced
- 1 packet (3.4 oz or 96 g) banana-flavored instant pudding mix
- 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) cold milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp banana extract (optional)
- Vanilla wafers or crushed cookies
- Banana slices
Instructions
- Crust Creation: Pulverize wafers with sugar and melted butter until achieving a sandy consistency. Press firmly into a springform pan’s base, baking at 325°F for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
- Cheesecake Foundation: Whip cream cheese until ultra-smooth, gradually incorporating eggs with seamless precision. Blend sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla, and banana extract into a luxuriously creamy mixture.
- Baking Technique: Wrap the pan in aluminum foil and place within a water bath. Bake for approximately one hour, monitoring for a subtle central jiggle. This method ensures even cooking and prevents surface cracking.
- Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the cheesecake to allow complete cooling and flavor development. The resting period helps achieve the perfect texture and intensity of flavors.
- Pudding and Banana Layer: Whisk milk and pudding mix until achieving a velvety consistency. Spread over the chilled cheesecake and strategically arrange fresh banana slices across the surface.
- Cream Topping: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until forming stiff, billowy peaks. Generously cover the pudding layer with this cloud-like cream, creating elegant swirls or smooth coverage.
- Final Flourish: Garnish with crisp vanilla wafers, additional banana slices, or delicately crushed cookies. Slice with a warm knife to ensure pristine, picture-perfect servings of this decadent dessert.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Press wafer mixture firmly and evenly into the pan’s base to create a stable, compact foundation that won’t disintegrate when serving.
- Master Smooth Cheesecake Technique: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat slowly to avoid incorporating excess air, which can cause unwanted surface cracks during baking.
- Nail the Water Bath Method: Wrap springform pan’s exterior with multiple layers of aluminum foil to completely seal against water, preventing soggy crust and ensuring even heat distribution.
- Control Banana Browning: Toss fresh banana slices in a touch of lemon juice before arranging to prevent quick oxidation and maintain their appetizing golden-white appearance.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg