Description
Indulge in this creamy, crunchy banana pudding crunch cheesecake! A must-try dessert with layers of banana pudding, cheesecake, and a crispy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding mix
- 1¼ cups cold milk
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
- ½ cup crushed vanilla wafers (for topping)
- Caramel drizzle (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Mix crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter and sugar.
- Press the mixture into a greased springform pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently.
- Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.
- Pour over the crust.
3. Bake the Cheesecake
- Bake at 325°F for 50 minutes.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
4. Prepare the Banana Pudding Layer
- Whisk banana pudding mix with cold milk until thick.
- Spread a thin layer over the cheesecake.
- Add sliced bananas.
5. Add the Crunchy Topping
- Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers over the top.
- Drizzle with caramel (optional).
6. Chill & Serve
- Refrigerate for 6 hours before slicing.
- Serve with whipped cream or extra wafers.
Notes
- Use Ripe Bananas for the Best Flavor: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cheesecake will be. Avoid using green or under-ripe bananas.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: This cheesecake tastes even better after being refrigerated overnight. The layers set properly, and the flavors deepen.
- Prevent Soggy Wafers: If you want to keep the wafer topping extra crunchy, add it right before serving rather than during assembly.
- Make It Ahead of Time: This dessert can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge, making it perfect for parties and gatherings.
- For a Firmer No-Bake Version: If making a no-bake cheesecake, mix 1 teaspoon of gelatin with warm water and fold it into the cheesecake batter before chilling.
- Substitutions for Different Dietary Needs:
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free vanilla wafers or almond flour for the crust.
- Low-Sugar Version: Replace sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut milk instead of regular milk, and coconut whipped cream.
- Serving Suggestion: Drizzle with caramel sauce or melted chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 50 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Banana cheesecake, banana pudding dessert, crunchy banana cheesecake