Description
This Banana Caramel Nut Cheesecake is a luscious and indulgent dessert combining a creamy banana-flavored cheesecake filling with a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with rich caramel sauce and crunchy nuts. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave a decadent treat, this cheesecake offers a delightful balance of creamy texture, sweet caramel, and nutty crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (for mixing)
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to prepare for baking the cheesecake.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter until combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with the sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Add the vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture, then incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Bananas and Caramel: Stir in the mashed bananas and half of the caramel sauce, mixing thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Assemble Cheesecake: Pour the banana-caramel cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared crust in the springform pan.
- Bake: Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Add Toppings: Once cooled, drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top of the cheesecake and evenly sprinkle with the chopped nuts.
- Chill: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours, allowing it to fully set and the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the batter.
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor in the cheesecake filling.
- Chilling the cheesecake overnight will enhance the texture and taste.
- For an added touch, lightly toast the nuts before sprinkling them on top to boost their flavor.
- To prevent cracking, avoid overbaking and allow the cheesecake to cool gradually.