Contents
Introduction
These Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars are a delightful treat that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the nostalgic flavor of banana pudding, all sitting on a buttery Nilla wafer crust. Perfect for gatherings or a sweet indulgence at home!
Detailed Ingredients with measures
For the Crust:
– 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 50 cookies)
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
– 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
– ½ cup sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup marshmallow fluff
– 3.4 ounces banana cream pudding mix (1 package)
– 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 bananas)
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
60 minutes
Total Time
3 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield
16 bars
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Crust:
In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed vanilla wafers and melted butter. Mix well. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9×9-inch baking pan using the back of a spoon. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and sugar using a stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well incorporated. Mix in the marshmallow fluff until combined. Add the banana cream pudding mix and the mashed bananas, then mix until everything is well combined.
4. Bake the Cheesecake Bars:
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust and spread it evenly. Bake for 20 minutes, then without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 200°F (93°C) and continue baking for another 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake bars inside for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Cool and Chill:
Remove the cheesecake bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
6. Serve:
After chilling, cut into squares. Top with whipped cream and a banana slice before serving.
Tips
For best results, ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in your cheesecake mixture. Feel free to add crushed Nilla wafers or banana slices on top for added texture and flavor. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy these creamy, banana-flavored cheesecake bars as a delightful dessert any time of the year!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
1 Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350F (175C).
2 Prepare the Crust:
In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed vanilla wafers and melted butter. Mix well. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9×9-inch baking pan using the back of a spoon. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
3 Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and sugar using a stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well incorporated. Mix in the marshmallow fluff until combined. Add the banana cream pudding mix and the mashed bananas, then mix until everything is well combined.
4 Bake the Cheesecake Bars:
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust and spread it evenly. Bake for 20 minutes, then without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 200F (93C) and continue baking for another 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake bars inside for an additional 10 minutes.
5 Cool and Chill:
Remove the cheesecake bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
6 Serve:
After chilling, cut into squares. Top with whipped cream and a banana slice before serving.
Notes
Tip 1:
For best results, ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in your cheesecake mixture.
Tip 2:
Feel free to add crushed Nilla wafers or banana slices on top for added texture and flavor.
Tip 3:
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tip 4:
Enjoy these creamy, banana-flavored cheesecake bars as a delightful dessert any time of the year!
Cook techniques
Preheating the Oven
Ensure that your oven is properly preheated to the desired temperature to achieve even baking. This step is essential for the crust and cheesecake filling to cook correctly.
Preparing the Crust
Combine crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter and press firmly into the baking pan. This creates a solid, flavorful base that holds the cheesecake filling.
Mixing the Cheesecake Filling
Use a mixer to cream together ingredients like cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth. This ensures a creamy consistency without lumps in the filling.
Baking the Cheesecake Bars
Bake the cheesecake mixture after adding it to the crust. Follow the temperature changes carefully to achieve the perfect texture and prevent cracks.
Cooling and Chilling
Allow the cheesecake bars to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating. Proper chilling is crucial for the bars to set properly.
Cutting and Serving
Once chilled, cut the bars into uniform squares for even serving. Top with whipped cream and banana slices for added flavor and presentation.
FAQ
Yes, you can use any similar cookie, such as graham crackers or shortbread, for the crust if you prefer a different flavor.
How do I know when the cheesecake bars are done baking?
The cheesecake bars should be set around the edges but slightly jiggly in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I make these cheesecake bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
Is there a substitute for marshmallow fluff?
If you don’t have marshmallow fluff, you can use whipped cream or a homemade marshmallow mixture as an alternative.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain freshness and texture.
Conclusion
These Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars are a truly memorable dessert that packs a punch of flavor and texture. With the creamy cheesecake filling, sweet banana flavor, and crunchy Nilla wafer crust, they are bound to be a hit at any gathering or a delightful treat for yourself at home. The combination of classic banana pudding flavors with rich cheesecake makes these bars a must-try for dessert lovers.
Chocolate Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars
Add a layer of chocolate by incorporating chocolate pudding mix into the cheesecake filling and topping with chocolate shavings for an indulgent twist on this classic recipe.
Peanut Butter Banana Cheesecake Bars
Mix in some creamy peanut butter into the cheesecake filling and garnish with crushed peanuts or drizzle with peanut butter sauce for a deliciously nutty flavor combination.
Coconut Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars
Incorporate shredded coconut into the crust and cheesecake filling for a tropical flair. Top with toasted coconut flakes for an extra crunch.
Maple Banana Cheesecake Bars
Add a splash of maple syrup to the filling and use crushed graham crackers mixed with butter for the crust to enhance the overall flavor profile with a sweet, maple twist.
Berry Banana Cheesecake Bars
Mix in your favorite berries, such as strawberries or blueberries, into the cheesecake filling or use them as a topping to add a refreshing and fruity layer to the rich banana flavor.
Banana Caramel Cheesecake Bars
Swirl in caramel sauce into the cheesecake filling or drizzle it over the top for a decadent caramel-banana fusion that will satisfy your sweet cravings.
Nutty Banana Cheesecake Bars
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crust or sprinkle them on top of the bars before serving for a delightful crunch that complements the banana flavor beautifully.
