Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares Recipe
Delight in these creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares, featuring a buttery vanilla wafer crust topped with luscious banana-infused cheesecake and a smooth banana pudding layer. Finished with fluffy whipped topping, these squares offer a perfect balance of rich cheesecake and fruity banana flavors in every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 60 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
Banana Pudding Layer
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant banana pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
Topping
- 1 cup whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easy.
- Make the Crust: Combine the finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies with melted unsalted butter until well blended. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a solid crust base.
- Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Add Bananas and Spread: Stir the mashed ripe bananas into the cheesecake mixture until fully incorporated. Spread this creamy banana-cheesecake batter evenly over the cookie crust in the baking dish.
- Prepare Banana Pudding Layer: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Let it sit for a few minutes to fully thicken, then gently spread this pudding mixture over the cheesecake layer in the dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Avoid overbaking to maintain creamy texture.
- Cool and Chill: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set the layers and enhance flavors.
- Add Whipped Topping and Serve: Before slicing into squares, spread the whipped topping evenly over the chilled banana pudding layer. Cut into squares and serve chilled for a refreshing dessert experience.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake batter.
- Use ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Allow the banana pudding layer to thicken properly before spreading to prevent mixing with the cheesecake layer.
- Chilling the dessert for at least 2 hours ensures clean slices and better flavor melding.
- This dessert can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: banana pudding, cheesecake, dessert squares, vanilla wafer crust, banana dessert, easy cheesecake recipe
