Description
This Banana Pudding Crunch Cheesecake is the perfect mix of creamy cheesecake, sweet banana flavor, and a crunchy cookie topping. Inspired by classic banana pudding, this dessert feels rich and comforting while still being easy enough for home bakers. It’s smooth, sweet, and packed with texture in every bite, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for holidays, parties, or family desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream
For the Crunch Topping
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Garnish
- Fresh banana slices
- Caramel drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Mix vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and blend. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each. Mix in heavy cream or sour cream until smooth.
- Prepare the Crunch Topping: Combine crushed vanilla wafers, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix until crumbly.
- Assemble: Pour filling over cooled crust. Sprinkle crunch topping evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake 55–65 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly. Turn off oven, crack the door, and cool inside for 1 hour.
- Chill: Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to help prevent cracks. Use ripe bananas for best flavor. For clean slices, wipe the knife between cuts. Add fresh banana slices just before serving so they don’t brown.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cheesecake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg