Description
Delight in these luscious Banana Cream Cheesecake Bars, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust layered with creamy banana-infused cheesecake and topped with a smooth banana pudding whipped topping. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh banana slices and crunchy vanilla wafers, these bars make a sweet, no-fail dessert ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pudding Topping
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana cream pudding mix
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Optional Toppings
- Sliced bananas
- Crushed vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 8–10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with ½ cup granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing well until all the ingredients are fully combined.
- Bake the Cheesecake Layer: Pour the cream cheese and banana mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggly. Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake layer to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Pudding Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the banana cream pudding mix and milk until the mixture thickens, approximately 2 minutes. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble and Chill: Spread the banana pudding whipped topping evenly over the cooled cheesecake layer. Place the entire dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours, or until the topping is fully set and firm.
- Add Optional Garnishes and Serve: Before serving, optionally top the bars with fresh sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers for added texture and flavor. Cut into 9 bars and enjoy chilled for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- For a more pronounced banana flavor, you can add a teaspoon of banana extract to the cheesecake filling.
- Always keep the bars refrigerated and serve chilled for optimal texture and freshness.
