Description
Creamy banana cream cheesecake bliss delivers a luxurious dessert experience that seamlessly blends rich cheesecake with sweet banana undertones. Silky layers and graham cracker crust provide pure indulgence for dessert enthusiasts seeking a delightful culinary escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
Topping Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture evenly across the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes until achieving a golden hue, then allow to cool completely.
- Transform cream cheese into a silky smooth base using an electric mixer. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until fully integrated. Fold in vanilla extract, sour cream, and ripe mashed bananas, creating a creamy consistency.
- Introduce eggs one at a time, gently mixing after each addition to maintain a velvety texture. Ensure minimal mixing to prevent incorporating excess air that could cause cracking.
- Transfer the luscious filling into the prepared crust, spreading evenly with a spatula. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, watching for a slightly wobbly center that indicates perfect doneness.
- Once baking completes, turn off the oven and crack the door open. Allow the cheesecake to rest for approximately 1 hour, facilitating a gradual temperature decrease and preventing potential surface cracks.
- Refrigerate the cooled cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight. This resting period allows flavors to meld and ensures a firm, sliceable texture.
- Before serving, adorn the chilled cheesecake with fresh banana slices and billowy whipped cream. For an optional elegant touch, sprinkle chocolate shavings or chopped nuts across the top.
Notes
- Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Reduce sugar content by using ripe bananas for natural sweetness and replacing some powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for low-sugar diets.
- Prevent banana browning by tossing sliced bananas in lemon juice before topping the cheesecake, which maintains their fresh appearance and adds a subtle citrus brightness.
- Create a smooth cheesecake texture by ensuring cream cheese is at room temperature and beating ingredients gradually to avoid lumps and achieve a silky consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg