Dreamy Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars Recipe

These decadent banana pudding cheesecake bars blend Southern comfort with creamy indulgence.

Rich cream cheese layers mingle with smooth banana pudding for an irresistible dessert.

Soft vanilla wafers create a perfect crisp base that adds delightful texture to each bite.

Ripe bananas infuse natural sweetness throughout the entire treat.

Crumbly and smooth, these bars offer a nostalgic twist on classic desserts.

Every slice promises a delectable journey of flavor and tradition.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe that’s sure to become a new favorite at gatherings.

Steps To Make Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• Crust Foundation

Craft a buttery base using vanilla wafer crumbs pressed into a lined baking dish. Bake until golden and allow to cool completely, creating a sturdy platform for the layers of deliciousness to come.

• Cheesecake Magic

Blend cream cheese with ripe bananas into a silky smooth mixture. Pour gently over the cooled crust, letting the ingredients dance together in the oven until perfectly set with a slight wobble in the center.

• Pudding Cloud

Whip up a dreamy banana pudding layer that transforms the bars into a cloud-like dessert. Fold in soft whipped topping to create an airy, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.

• Finishing Touches

Chill the bars until they become wonderfully firm and cohesive. Garnish with playful sprinkles of crushed vanilla wafers and delicate banana slices, turning a simple dessert into a showstopping treat that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Helpful Hints For Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• Banana Bliss Tricks: Expert Tips to Elevate Your Dessert
• Banana Ripeness Matters: Use overripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor. Darker bananas provide more intense banana taste and natural caramel-like undertones.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Prebake the vanilla wafer crust to create a crisp, sturdy foundation that won't become mushy when adding wet layers. This technique ensures a perfect textural contrast.
• Smooth Cheesecake Secret: Room temperature cream cheese blends seamlessly without lumps. Let ingredients sit out 30 minutes before mixing to achieve ultra-creamy consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 weeks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for convenient make-ahead dessert planning.
• Diet-Friendly Modifications: Swap regular ingredients with gluten-free vanilla wafers, use low-fat cream cheese, and opt for sugar-free pudding mix to create a lighter version suitable for various dietary needs.

How To Serve Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• Banana Bliss Plating: Arrange bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh banana slices scattered artfully, creating an inviting dessert display that highlights the creamy texture.
• Dessert Companions: Pair these bars with a hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk to complement the sweet banana flavor and rich cheesecake base.
• Elegant Garnish Game: Sprinkle additional crushed vanilla wafers around the bars, add a light dusting of cinnamon, or drizzle caramel sauce for extra decadence and visual appeal.
• Party Perfect Presentation: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized squares for easy sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or summer picnics, making them a crowd-pleasing dessert option.

Tips To Store Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• Fridge Fortress: Seal the cheesecake bars in an airtight container, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freezer Friendly: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying for best texture and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 1-2 days before serving to enhance flavor development. The banana pudding layer will continue to set and become more delicious.
• Portion Protection: Cut bars into individual servings before refrigerating. This makes grabbing a quick treat easier and helps maintain the dessert's structural integrity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything In Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• Vanilla Wafer Crumbs: Crunchy foundation that provides a classic Southern dessert texture with sweet undertones and nostalgic flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs together, creating a rich, golden base that adds delectable richness and helps crisp the crust.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers luxurious, velvety smoothness and tangy depth to the cheesecake base.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and balances the cream cheese's tanginess while contributing to the silky texture.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cheesecake layer, ensuring a perfect, stable consistency.
• Ripe Bananas: Infuse natural sweetness and intense banana flavor throughout the cheesecake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic undertones.

• Banana Pudding Mix: Creates a luscious, creamy layer with concentrated banana flavor.
• Cold Milk: Activates pudding mix and provides smooth, rich consistency.
• Whipped Topping: Adds lightness and airy texture to the pudding layer.
• Sliced Bananas: Fresh garnish that intensifies banana essence and provides visual appeal.
• Crushed Vanilla Wafers: Adds delightful crunch and completes the classic banana pudding experience.

Tools You’ll Use For Creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

• 9×9-inch baking dish: Essential for creating perfectly sized bars with even layers.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing crust, cheesecake, and pudding layers.
• Electric mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese, sugar, and creating smooth mixtures.
• Whisk: Great for blending pudding mix and ensuring no lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading layers evenly and folding ingredients.
• Cutting board: Useful for slicing bananas and crushing vanilla wafers.
• Sharp knife: Needed for clean, neat bar cuts when serving.

Dreamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Indulgent banana pudding cheesecake bars combine classic Southern dessert flavors in one irresistible treat. Smooth cream cheese, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafer crust create a nostalgic dessert sure to delight.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 50 wafers)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 oz (453 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 medium banana)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 package (3.4 oz/96 g) instant banana pudding mix
• 1 ¾ cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Sliced bananas
• Crushed vanilla wafers

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulverize vanilla wafers and blend with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until golden, then cool completely to create a crisp, sturdy foundation.
2. Cheesecake Batter: Blend cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth, gradually introducing eggs while mixing. Incorporate mashed bananas and vanilla extract, ensuring a uniform, luxurious consistency that promises rich, creamy texture.
3. Initial Baking: Transfer cheesecake batter over the cooled crust, distributing evenly with a spatula. Bake at 325°F for 35-40 minutes, watching for a slight center wobble that indicates perfect doneness. Allow to cool completely.
4. Pudding Layer: Whisk pudding mix with cold milk until thickened, then gently fold in whipped topping to create a cloud-like, velvety banana-infused cream. Spread meticulously across the cooled cheesecake base, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Final Chilling: Refrigerate the dessert for minimum 4 hours, allowing layers to set and flavors to harmonize. Before serving, garnish with whipped cream, fresh banana slices, and crushed vanilla wafers for a visually stunning and decadent finish.

Notes

• Prevent Banana Browning: Toss freshly sliced bananas with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their bright color and prevent quick oxidation during garnishing.
• Achieve Smooth Cheesecake Texture: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a silky-smooth batter without overmixing.
• Control Moisture Balance: Pat mashed bananas gently with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust and maintaining the perfect cheesecake consistency.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap traditional ingredients for gluten-free vanilla wafers and use low-fat cream cheese to adapt the recipe for specific dietary requirements without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg