Description
A dreamy fusion of creamy cheesecake and classic banana pudding layered over a crisp Nilla wafer crust—perfect for Southern dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Crust
2 cups (240 g) finely crushed Nilla wafers
2 Tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
6 Tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
24 oz (680 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 g) full-fat sour cream, room temperature
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla-bean paste or pure vanilla extract
Banana Pudding Layer
1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant banana pudding mix
1 ¾ cups (420 ml) cold whole milk
2–3 ripe bananas, sliced
Topping & Garnish
2 cups whipped topping or stiff-peak whipped cream
½ cup additional Nilla wafers, crushed or whole, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Pan & Oven – Preheat oven to 325 °F / 165 °C. Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with double foil.
Make Crust – Stir Nilla-wafer crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly moistened. Press firmly into pan bottom. Bake 8 min; cool slightly.
Cheesecake Batter – Beat cream cheese until completely smooth. Mix in sugar, then sour cream. Add eggs one at a time, scraping bowl, then vanilla. Pour batter over cooled crust.
Bake – Place pan in a larger roasting pan; add 1 inch (2.5 cm) hot water for a water bath. Bake 55–65 min until edges are set and center jiggles slightly. Turn oven off; crack door and cool cheesecake 1 h. Chill at least 4 h or overnight.
Banana Pudding – Whisk pudding mix with cold milk 2 min; refrigerate 5 min to thicken.
Assemble Layers – Arrange banana slices over chilled cheesecake. Spread banana pudding evenly on top. Cover with whipped topping; smooth or pipe decoratively. Sprinkle with extra Nilla wafers. Chill ≥ 1 h to set before slicing.
Notes
Rich twist: Substitute 8 oz mascarpone for part of the cream cheese.
Peanut-butter swirl: Drizzle ¼ cup warmed peanut butter over baked, cooled cheesecake before adding bananas.
Chocolate lovers: Brush crust with a thin layer of ganache before filling.
Make-ahead: Cheesecake (without topping) freezes up to 2 months; thaw overnight, then finish with fresh bananas, pudding, and whipped topping.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 55–65 min
- Category: Dessert / Celebration Cheesecake
- Method: Baked Cheesecake (Water Bath) + Layered Assembly
- Cuisine: American / Southern-Inspired
