Rich, creamy, and layered with nostalgia—this Banana Cream Cheesecake is the one dessert I’d bring to any gathering, hands down.
There’s something kind of comforting about banana desserts, isn’t there? Maybe it’s the way they instantly take us back to banana pudding cups at grandma’s, or those yellow popsicles that melted too fast in the summer sun. But this? This is banana dessert on a whole other level.
It’s smooth, a little tangy, and not too sweet. There’s a real homemade taste in every bite—like someone actually took the time to mash the bananas by hand and stir the filling slowly with love. And you know what? That’s pretty much what this recipe is.
Let’s take a deep breath, clear some fridge space, and make a cheesecake that honestly deserves a little ceremony of its own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust:
- 2 1/4 cups (302g) vanilla wafer crumbs
- 10 tbsp (140g) salted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp (39g) sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (58g) sour cream, room temperature
- 4 tsp banana extract
- 1 cup (240ml) pureed banana (from about 2 medium bananas)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Bavarian Cream Layer:
- 1 tsp powdered gelatin
- 2 tbsp (30ml) milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsp (26g) sugar
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp banana extract
- 2/3 cup (160ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 5 tbsp (36g) powdered sugar
Whipped Cream Topping:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh banana slices for garnish
Prep Time, Cook Time, and Servings
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 6 hours or overnight
- Total Time: About 8 hours
- Servings: 12–14 generous slices
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides.
Grab a medium bowl. Mix the vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter and sugar until it looks like wet sand. Press the crust mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of your pan.
Bake it for 10 minutes. Once it’s golden, take it out and let it cool. You can smell the toasty vanilla already. While it cools, tightly wrap the outside of your pan in foil—this step helps with the water bath later.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
Drop the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C).
In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and flour—low speed only. This part matters more than you’d think. Too much air makes cracks later, and we don’t want that. Scrape down the bowl.
Next, mix in the sour cream and banana extract. Keep it gentle.
Puree your bananas (just a blender or fork works), then mix them in too. The mixture should start smelling like banana pudding now.
Add eggs one at a time. Slowly. Scrape down the bowl between additions.
Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust.
Now place your springform pan inside a larger pan. Fill the outer pan halfway up with warm water. This is your water bath. It keeps things creamy and even.
Bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The center should be a little jiggly, not liquid. Like setting Jell-O, but still warm.
Turn the oven off. Leave the door shut for 30 minutes.
Then, crack the oven door and let the cheesecake cool inside for another 30 minutes.
This slow cool? That’s how you keep the top from splitting.
3. Make the Bavarian Cream
While the cheesecake finishes cooling, it’s a good time to make the Bavarian layer.
Sprinkle gelatin over milk in a small bowl. Let it sit—it’ll bloom into a soft gel.
Whisk two egg yolks in a medium bowl.
In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup heavy cream with the sugar, vanilla, and banana extract until just warm—don’t boil it. Slowly whisk it into the egg yolks. That’s called tempering. Then pour everything back into the saucepan.
Heat gently, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat a spoon or hits about 160°F.
Remove from heat. Stir in the gelatin until smooth.
Now you need to cool this custard. Place the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water. Stir every few minutes until it’s no longer hot—room temp is good.
While that chills, whip the remaining 2/3 cup heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Once the custard’s cooled, fold in the whipped cream. Don’t over-mix—it should stay fluffy.
Spread the Bavarian cream over the cheesecake and refrigerate the whole thing for 5–6 hours or overnight. The longer, the better.
4. Make the Whipped Cream Topping
Right before serving, whip the last bit of cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
Pipe or spoon it around the edges. Add sliced bananas if you’d like—just before serving, though, so they don’t brown too quickly.
A Few Notes From the Kitchen
- Banana ripeness: Use soft, ripe bananas for the best flavor. Brown spots are okay—actually, they’re perfect.
- Storage tip: This cheesecake holds well for 3–4 days in the fridge. Cover it gently with plastic wrap.
- Freezing? I wouldn’t. The texture of banana puree and Bavarian cream changes after thawing.
Behind the Recipe: A Little Backstory
The first time I made this, I wasn’t aiming for anything fancy. I just had bananas to use up and was craving cheesecake. But then, halfway through mixing, I remembered this silky banana custard my mom used to make on Sundays. It always had a little whipped topping and just a touch of vanilla.
So I paused, rewrote the plan, and added the Bavarian layer. I didn’t even know it had a name back then. It just felt like something the dessert needed. I think the best recipes are like that—kind of instinctive, built from memories.
That’s probably why this one keeps showing up in our house again and again. Even people who swear they don’t like banana anything go quiet after a bite. They always ask, “Wait—what’s in this?” That’s when I smile and say, “It’s banana cream cheesecake. Want the recipe?”
FAQs
Can I use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers?
Yes, but the flavor will be a bit different. Vanilla wafers add sweetness and nostalgia—graham crackers are a bit nuttier.
Do I have to use the water bath?
Honestly? Yes. Cheesecake without a water bath tends to crack or dry out. It’s worth the extra pan.
Can I skip the Bavarian cream layer?
You can, but I wouldn’t. It’s what makes this recipe so special—like a cloud sitting on top of the cheesecake.
Can I use real bananas without extract?
You can try, but extract really boosts the banana flavor. Without it, the banana taste may get lost in the creaminess.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Cream Cheesecake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a showstopper. It’s the kind of thing that makes people close their eyes while they chew. And that, more than anything, is what makes a recipe worth making again.
You don’t need any fancy tricks. Just some ripe bananas, a bit of patience, and the willingness to layer things with care.
Whether it’s for a family gathering or just to treat yourself after a long week, this cheesecake delivers.
