Bananas Foster Cheesecake

This Bananas Foster Cheesecake is an incredible combination of creamy banana filling, cinnamon cookie crust, and a luscious bananas foster topping. With a bit of rum, brown sugar, and cinnamon, the bananas foster topping brings an unforgettable flavor to the cheesecake. Whether for a special occasion or a sweet indulgence, this cheesecake is sure to wow your guests.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 2 1/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted

  • 5 tbsp light brown sugar

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 24 oz cream cheese (room temperature)

  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)

  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)

  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 2 tbsp dark rum

  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)

For the Bananas Foster Topping:

  • 1/4 cup salted butter

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar

  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream

  • 2 tbsp dark rum

  • 2 medium bananas (sliced)

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Prepare the Crust:
    Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Combine the crust ingredients and press into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.

  2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
    Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C). In a mixer, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, and flour until smooth. Add the mashed bananas, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dark rum and mix well. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition. Pour the cheesecake batter into the cooled crust.

  3. Bake the Cheesecake:
    Wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil and place it in a larger pan. Fill the outer pan with warm water halfway up the sides of the springform. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 30 minutes, then leave the door cracked for another 30 minutes. Cool on the counter for 15 minutes before refrigerating for 6–7 hours.

  4. Prepare the Bananas Foster Topping:
    In a pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and heavy cream. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Carefully add the rum and light it on fire (be cautious with the flame). Once the flame dies, add the sliced bananas and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

  5. Make the Whipped Cream:
    Beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spread whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake.

  6. Assemble and Serve:
    Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and place it on a serving plate. Spoon the bananas foster topping onto the center of the cheesecake. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the sides. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrients (approximate per slice, 12-16 servings)

  • Calories: 370

  • Carbohydrates: 40g

    • Sugar: 29.6g

  • Fat: 20.9g

    • Saturated Fat: 11.5g

  • Protein: 5.9g

  • Cholesterol: 92.1mg

  • Sodium: 277.5mg

  • Potassium: 255mg

This Bananas Foster Cheesecake combines the rich flavors of bananas foster with the creaminess of cheesecake for a dessert that’s both indulgent and unique. It’s perfect for those looking for a show-stopping treat!

The Cinnamon Cookie Crust: Sweet and Spiced

The crust of this Bananas Foster Cheesecake is made with vanilla wafer crumbs, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. The buttery, sweet crust serves as the perfect foundation for the rich banana filling. The addition of cinnamon to the crust gives it a warm, spiced flavor that complements the banana filling and bananas foster topping. When baked, the crust becomes firm and slightly crispy, offering a satisfying contrast to the smooth cheesecake filling. It’s the perfect balance of flavor and texture, providing a sturdy base while enhancing the overall taste of the dessert.

The Banana Cheesecake Filling: Creamy and Flavorful

The filling of this cheesecake is rich and creamy, with the natural sweetness of mashed bananas shining through. The combination of cream cheese, brown sugar, and flour creates a smooth and velvety filling, while the cinnamon and nutmeg add a bit of warmth and depth. Dark rum brings an extra layer of complexity, giving the cheesecake a subtle, aromatic kick. The mashed bananas infuse the filling with moisture, making each bite soft and creamy while adding a fruity freshness. This banana cheesecake filling is perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of sweetness and spice.

The Bananas Foster Topping: Caramelized and Luscious

The Bananas Foster topping is what truly sets this cheesecake apart. It’s made by melting butter in a pan and adding brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a rich, caramel-like sauce. The heavy cream is stirred in, adding smoothness and richness to the topping. The rum is carefully ignited, creating a beautiful flame that adds a touch of drama to the dish (always be cautious when working with flame). Once the flame dies down, sliced bananas are added and cooked in the sauce, absorbing all the sweet, spiced flavors. This topping is poured over the cheesecake just before serving, adding a burst of warm, caramelized banana flavor that perfectly complements the creamy cheesecake base.

How to Make Bananas Foster Cheesecake

Making this Bananas Foster Cheesecake is a little involved but well worth the effort. Here’s how to make it:

  1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan, lining the bottom with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

  2. Make the Cheesecake Filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C). In a mixer, beat together the cream cheese, brown sugar, and flour until smooth. Add the mashed bananas, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dark rum, mixing well. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition. Pour the cheesecake filling into the cooled crust.

  3. Bake the Cheesecake: Wrap the springform pan in aluminum foil and place it in a larger pan. Fill the outer pan with warm water halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 30 minutes with the door cracked. Leave it in the oven for another 30 minutes to cool. Then, cool the cheesecake on the counter for 15 minutes before refrigerating for 6–7 hours, or overnight.

  4. Prepare the Bananas Foster Topping: In a pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and heavy cream, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Carefully add the rum and ignite it with a long lighter (be cautious). Once the flame dies down, add the sliced bananas and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.

  5. Make the Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until stiff peaks form.

  6. Assemble and Serve: Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and place it on a serving plate. Spoon the bananas foster topping onto the center of the cheesecake and drizzle any remaining sauce over the sides. Pipe or spread whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutritional Benefits of Bananas Foster Cheesecake

Each slice of Bananas Foster Cheesecake contains approximately 370 calories, making it a rich and indulgent dessert. The cheesecake provides 40 grams of carbohydrates, with 29.6 grams of sugar, which comes from the bananas, brown sugar, and whipped cream. With 20.9 grams of fat, including 11.5 grams of saturated fat from the cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream, this dessert is certainly a treat to enjoy in moderation. The 5.9 grams of protein in each slice provide some balance to the richness of the dessert. Additionally, it offers small amounts of Vitamin A (280 IU) and calcium (40mg), supporting eye health and bone strength.

Serving Suggestions

Bananas Foster Cheesecake is an indulgent treat that’s perfect for special occasions, but it can be enhanced with a few simple additions:

  • With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully with the warm bananas foster topping, adding a creamy contrast to the rich cheesecake.

  • With Caramel Sauce: Drizzle extra caramel or butterscotch sauce over the whipped cream for added richness.

  • Topped with Fresh Bananas: For a fresh touch, add extra sliced bananas on top of the cheesecake before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Conclusion

Bananas Foster Cheesecake is an unforgettable dessert that combines the flavors of caramelized bananas, creamy cheesecake, and a spiced cinnamon cookie crust. With its luxurious texture and dramatic bananas foster topping, it’s a showstopper that’s sure to wow your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for any special occasion, this cheesecake offers a unique and indulgent twist on the classic dessert. Whether you’re celebrating or simply treating yourself, Bananas Foster Cheesecake is a must-try!

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