Strawberry Banana Cheesecake

Get ready for super indulgent Banana Pudding Strawberry Cheesecake. It's creamy, packed with banana cheesecake goodness, rich banana pudding, and sweet strawberries on top. Everything starts with a crunchy vanilla wafer bottom, so you've got that classic cookie snap. Then, there's a luscious filling made with overripe bananas, sour cream, and loads of cream cheese for that dreamy bite. Banana pudding sits right on top, giving each forkful that soft, smooth banana feel. Strawberries add bright, juicy freshness with just a hint of tart. Build this beauty for your next party—people can't stop talking about it!

INGREDIENTS

For the Crust

• Unsalted butter: ½ cup, melted, so your crust sticks together and gets rich.
• Granulated sugar: ¼ cup, a little boost of sweetness.
• Vanilla wafer crumbs: 1½ cups, makes a crispy base with the perfect flavor.

For the Cheesecake Filling

• Sour cream: ½ cup, keeps the filling extra creamy.
• Mashed ripe bananas: 1 cup (about 2 bananas), all that banana flavor comes through.
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for added aroma and taste.
• Eggs: 3 large, they set everything just right.
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup, to make it sweet and well balanced.
• Cream cheese: 24 oz, softened, because you want a silky smooth texture.

For the Banana Pudding Layer

• Cold milk: 2 cups, for mixing the pudding up nice and smooth.
• Instant banana pudding mix: 1 package (3.4 oz), brings on the banana layer fast.

For the Strawberry Topping

• Water: 2 tbsp, to mix your thickener.
• Cornstarch: 1 tbsp, helps make the topping thick and jammy.
• Lemon juice: 1 tbsp, to brighten up all that berry flavor.
• Granulated sugar: ¼ cup, to sweeten it up.
• Fresh strawberries: 1 lb, hulled and sliced, that's your fruity finish.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Heat oven up to 325°F (163°C). Toss ½ cup melted butter, ¼ cup sugar, and 1½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs together in a bowl. Press into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for about 10 minutes. Cool it off.

Step 2:

In your biggest bowl, beat ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup mashed bananas, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar, and all the softened cream cheese until it's light and fluffy. Pour it onto your crust. Bake 60-70 minutes.

Step 3:

Let it cool down to room temp, then pop it in the fridge for a good 4 hours or more.

Step 4:

Mix up 2 cups cold milk with 1 box (3.4 oz) of instant banana pudding in a bowl. Once it's thick, smooth it out over your chilled cheesecake.

Step 5:

In a small pot, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer gently until they're soft. Mix the cornstarch and water, stir it in, and cook until the whole thing gets thick. Cool it, then spoon it over the pudding layer.

Step 6:

Chill for at least another hour before you slice in. Grab a fork and dig in!

Serving and Storage Tips

• Chill your cheesecake really well before you cut it—aim for at least 4 hours to keep those layers neat.
• Leftovers? Stick 'em in the fridge in a tightly sealed container, and they'll last up to five days.

Helpful Notes

• Don't add the pudding until the cheesecake is cool, or it'll get all runny instead of staying firm.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• Chef Allison says: You want soft, super ripe bananas—trust me, your cheesecake filling will pop with flavor.

How to Make the Perfect Cheesecake

Want that smooth, not-cracked top? Keep your eggs and cream cheese at room temperature. Use a water bath for baking—it keeps everything steamy and helps stop splits. Always cool the cheesecake down all the way before it ever hits the fridge for the dreamiest slice.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yep, frozen strawberries work just fine on top. Let 'em thaw and drain first or they'll turn your topping watery.

Can I use a different crust?

Totally! You can swap in a graham cracker crust if you don't have vanilla wafers lying around.

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Summary

Strawberry Banana Cheesecake is a layered dessert featuring banana-flavored cheesecake, smooth pudding, and a homemade strawberry topping over a vanilla wafer base. This showstopping dessert blends sweet and creamy flavors, making it a hit at any event.