Description
Indulgent Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars merge classic Southern comfort with luxurious dessert innovation. Silky cheesecake layers and banana pudding create a nostalgic treat that will transport you to sweet, memorable moments of culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whipped topping (for filling)
- 1 (3.4 ounces/96 grams) package instant banana pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cups (420 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 banana, sliced (for topping)
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups crushed Nilla Wafers
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 pinch sea salt
Garnish Ingredients:
- Whipped topping (for garnish)
- 9 Nilla Wafers (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lining an 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless removal.
- Craft the crust by combining crushed Nilla Wafers with melted butter, sugar, and sea salt until thoroughly integrated.
- Compress the crust mixture firmly into the pan’s base, creating a compact foundation. Transfer to the freezer during filling preparation.
- Whip the cream cheese until airy and light, then incorporate sugar, blending until smooth and homogeneous.
- Delicately incorporate whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining a soft, consistent texture.
- Construct the banana pudding by whisking pudding mix with milk until it thickens, then chill for 3 minutes to achieve proper consistency.
- Gently merge the pudding with the cream cheese mixture, ensuring complete and uniform integration.
- Distribute the filling evenly across the frozen crust, creating a level surface. Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight until completely solidified.
- Once set, partition into 9 uniform squares. Embellish each portion with a generous whipped topping swirl, fresh banana slice, and a classic Nilla Wafer for garnish.
Notes
- Perfectly Line Pan Use parchment paper with extra hanging edges to effortlessly lift bars out without breaking.
- Crushing Wafers Crush Nilla Wafers into fine, even crumbs for a consistent, smooth crust texture that holds together well.
- Chilling Technique Freeze the bars for minimum 4 hours to ensure a firm, sliceable cheesecake with clean edges and stable structure.
- Dietary Adaptations Swap traditional ingredients with gluten-free wafers, dairy-free cream cheese, and plant-based whipped topping for alternative diet versions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 284 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 173 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 53 mg