Banana Pudding Crunch Cheesecake

Here’s a recipe for Banana Pudding Crunch Cheesecake:

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Banana Cheesecake Filling:

• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)

Banana Pudding Layer:

• 1 (3.4 oz) package instant banana pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 2 ripe bananas, sliced

Crunch Topping:

• 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. In a bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs and sugar. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
3. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool.

Banana Cheesecake Filling:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
3. Mix in vanilla extract, sour cream, and heavy cream.
4. Stir in mashed bananas until fully incorporated.
5. Pour the banana cheesecake filling over the cooled crust.
6. Bake at 325°F for about 50-60 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly.
7. Turn off the oven, crack the door open slightly, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Banana Pudding Layer:

1. Whisk together banana pudding mix and cold milk until thickened.
2. Spread the pudding over the cooled cheesecake.
3. Add banana slices on top of the pudding layer.

Crunch Topping:

1. Mix vanilla wafer crumbs, melted butter, and chopped nuts (if using).
2. Sprinkle the crunch topping over the pudding layer.

Whipped Cream Topping:

1. In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
2. Spread or pipe the whipped cream on top of the crunch layer.

Assembly:

1. Once the cheesecake is set, remove it from the springform pan.
2. Top the cheesecake with more vanilla wafer crumbs, banana slices, and whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy your Banana Pudding Crunch Cheesecake!