Description
Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with this Banana Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust. With a buttery, crunchy crust, creamy banana-infused filling, and a luxurious Bavarian cream topping, this dessert is perfect for any special occasion or a self-indulgent treat.
Ingredients
For the Graham Crust:
- 2 1/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 10 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 4 teaspoons banana extract
- 1 cup pureed bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
For the Bavarian Cream:
- 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon banana extract
- 2/3 cup cold heavy cream
- 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh banana slices (for garnish)
Instructions
Make the Graham Crust:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix vanilla wafer crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool. Wrap the pan with foil for a water bath.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- Lower the oven temperature to 300°F (149°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth and creamy.
- Add sour cream, banana extract, and pureed bananas, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next.
3. Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the cheesecake mixture into the prepared crust.
- Place the springform pan inside a larger pan. Fill the outer pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the springform pan to create a water bath.
- Bake for 90 minutes or until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit inside with the door closed for 30 minutes.
- Crack the oven door open and allow the cheesecake to cool for another 30 minutes before removing it.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate.
4. Make the Bavarian Cream:
- Sprinkle powdered gelatin over milk and let bloom for 5 minutes.
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and banana extract until warm.
- Temper egg yolks by adding a small amount of the warm cream mixture, then return it to the saucepan.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
- Cool mixture over an ice bath until slightly thickened.
- Whip cold heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks, then fold into the cooled mixture.
- Spread Bavarian cream over the cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate for 5-6 hours or until set.
5. Prepare the Topping:
- Whip heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to stiff peaks.
- Pipe or spread whipped cream over the cheesecake.
- Garnish with fresh banana slices before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American