Description
Creamy banana cream cheesecake bars blend rich flavors from classic American desserts. Silky layers of graham cracker crust, tangy cream cheese, and ripe bananas create a delightful treat you’ll savor with each indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese (3 packages of 8 oz each, softened to room temperature)
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 packages instant banana cream pudding mix (3.4 oz each)
- 1 pint (475 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups (310 g) Nilla Wafer cookie crumbs (approximately 11 oz)
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter (melted)
- Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh banana slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust by pulverizing Nilla Wafer cookies and mixing with melted butter. Press the crumbly mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, creating a compact, uniform base. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to solidify.
- Whip heavy cream and sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff, glossy peaks form. Set aside the voluminous mixture.
- Beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Integrate banana cream pudding mix thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a light, airy filling with consistent texture.
- Spread the creamy filling evenly over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Refrigerate for 8-12 hours, preferably overnight, allowing the cheesecake to set completely and develop rich flavors.
- Remove from refrigerator and slice into nine precise squares using a sharp knife warmed under hot water.
- Optionally garnish with fresh banana slices and additional whipped cream before serving chilled.
Notes
- Swap Nilla Wafers with gluten-free cookies to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising the delicious crust texture.
- Opt for low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat whipped cream to make a lighter, more diet-conscious dessert while maintaining rich flavor profiles.
- Enhance banana flavor by adding a mashed ripe banana directly into the cream cheese mixture for deeper, more intense fruit notes.
- Prevent watery cheesecake by draining excess liquid from cream cheese and thoroughly patting ingredients dry before mixing, ensuring a firm and creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 183 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg