BANANA PUDDING CHEESECAKE
Ingredients:
2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding mix
2 cups whole milk
Whipped cream and additional vanilla wafer crumbs for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
In another bowl, mix the mashed bananas with lemon juice and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and flour and mix until well combined.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla extract.
Fold in the banana mixture.
Pour the cheesecake batter into the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour or until the center is almost set.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
In the meantime, prepare the banana pudding mix according to package directions, using the 2 cups of whole milk.
Spread the pudding mixture on top of the cooled cheesecake and chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
To serve, garnish the top of the cheesecake with whipped cream and additional vanilla wafer crumbs.
