Description
Creamy banana caramel peanut butter cheesecake beckons with irresistible layers of indulgence. Sweet and rich flavors dance together, promising a delightful dessert experience that will enchant your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 banana, sliced
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for garnish)
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by pulverizing graham crackers and blending with melted butter, forming a compact base. Gently press the mixture into a foil-wrapped springform pan, creating an even layer. Briefly toast in a preheated 325F oven to solidify the crust’s structure.
- Whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, incorporating peanut butter and sugars. Integrate eggs methodically, ensuring each is thoroughly combined before adding the next. Fold in sour cream, vanilla, and mashed bananas, creating a luxurious, creamy mixture with a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Carefully cascade the silky filling over the prepared crust, smoothing the surface with deliberate strokes. Position the pan within a larger water bath, allowing gentle heat to envelop the cheesecake during baking. Monitor the dessert, looking for subtle jiggling at the center and set edges as indicators of perfect doneness.
- After baking, transition the cheesecake to a gentle cooling process. Leave it nestled in the warm oven with the door slightly ajar, allowing gradual temperature reduction. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer to the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours to achieve optimal texture and flavor melding.
- Just before serving, embellish the chilled cheesecake with a mesmerizing drizzle of caramel sauce. Artfully arrange banana slices around the perimeter and sprinkle chopped peanuts for textural contrast. Optional cloud-like whipped cream can provide a final luxurious touch.
- Slice with a heated knife for pristine edges, revealing the luscious layers of this decadent dessert. Savor the intricate dance of banana, caramel, and peanut butter with each indulgent bite.
Notes
- Check graham cracker crumb consistency to ensure a sturdy, compact crust that holds together perfectly when slicing the cheesecake.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother, lump-free mixing and a silkier cheesecake texture.
- Mash bananas thoroughly to distribute flavor evenly and prevent large banana chunks disrupting the creamy filling.
- Create a water bath carefully to prevent water from seeping into the springform pan, which can make the crust soggy.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar by using ripe bananas for natural sweetness and replacing some granulated sugar with stevia for a lower-calorie option.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crust for extra warmth and depth of flavor that complements the banana and caramel.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg