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!
