Banana Split Cheesecake

August 7, 2012


 It's Crazy Cooking Challenge time ... cheesecake edition!  Yes, CHEESECAKE.  Oh, gracious sakes ... there's a whole slew of cheesecake variations hitting the blogland airwaves today, and I can't wait.  Cheesecake is one of my absolute faves, and totally should be it's own food group.  Don't ya think?

So when Tina of Mom's Crazy Cooking, our challenge hostess, announced cheesecake as the challenge food for this month ... needless to say ... I was excited.  With one caveat ... my husband, just that very week, had decided he wasn't going to eat sugar for a while.  Gasp!  Horror!!  How was I going to participate in a cheesecake challenge without my hubby to taste test and help me eat the result??

But never fear, with a little bit of coaxing, hubby rose to the challenge! (no pun intended) ... He set aside his sugar ban to help out with the creation and testing for this fabulously fun challenge.

And, so, we're happy to bring you another wonderful use for overly-ripe bananas ... Banana Split Cheesecake!


Creamy banana-y cheesecake filling in a vanilla wafer crust, covered with rich chocolate ganache, topped with whipped cream, chocolate spinkles, and a cherry ... yup, it's truly a banana split in cheesecake form.  And it's oh so good.



 So grab your fork ... or spoon ... and dig on in to this delicious banana split.  Er, cheesecake.





Banana Split Cheesecake
Source:  Adapted from Fine Cooking
(Printable recipe)
Ingredients
Crust:
1 1/2 c. vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
2 T. sugar
4 T. butter, melted

Filling:
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 c. mashed ripe bananas (3 bananas)
2 T. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 T. vanilla extract
4 eggs, at room temperature

Ganache:
3 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
5 T. butter
1 T. light corn syrup

Garnish:
Whipped cream
Chocolate sprinkles
Maraschino cherries


Directions
Prepare the Crust:
1.  Stir together the vanilla wafer cookie crumbs and sugar.  Mix in the melted butter until crumbs are moistened and clump together slightly.

2.  Press into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 9 minutes, until just slightly beginning to brown.  Remove from oven and set aside.

3.  Reduce oven to 300 degrees.

Prepare the Filling:
4.  Beat together the cream cheese, mashed banana, flour, and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until very smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Add the sugar and continue beating until well blended and smooth.  Add vanilla and beat until combined.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating very briefly (just a few seconds) after each addition.  Pour the filling into the prepared crust and smooth the top.

5.  Bake at 300 degrees for about 55 to 60 minutes.  The edges should be set but the center still look moist and  jiggle (like Jell-o) when the pan is gently nudged. 

6.  Cool completely on a baking rack.  Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 8 hours and up to 2 or 3 days.

Prepare the Ganache & Garnish:
7.  In a small bowl, melt together the chopped chocolate and butter - you can use the top of a double boiler or the microwave on medium power.  Add the light corn syrup and whisk until smooth.  Pour over cheesecake and spread evenly.  Chill until set.

8.  When ready to serve, garnish each slice with a dollup of whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.

Enjoy!



29 comments

  1. So pretty, and I'll bet it tastes just like a banana split!

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  2. Step aside banana bread--I found a new use for mushy bananas! Great CCC pick! I'm #16. :)

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  3. That is so unbelievably gorgeous! I love how you decorated it. I will have to make this soon!!

    Stopping by from CCC #18 - I pinned, tweeted, stumbled, and FB'd your cheesecake :)

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  4. This looks so pretty! I'd love for you to stop by - I'm #9 in the challenge. :)

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  5. This looks amazing! I love how you decorated your cheesecake! Gorgeous! #55

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  6. What a FUN and creative idea for a cheesecake...and beautiful, too! #48

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  7. Your pictures are gorgeous!!! Wow.

    What a unique cheesecake. Happy CCC!!!! From #15 Raspberry Lemonade Cheesecake <3

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  8. This looks amazing! Such a unique idea for a cheesecake- how did you not dig in before the photos where snapped? Your willpower astounds me! LOL

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  9. So pretty!! I just love this, so very clever! I have to try this I think I have some bananas in the freezer, yes!

    #2

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  10. Gorgeous! When I'm back eating sugar I'm going to make your cake...wow it looks wonderfully delicious.

    If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my CCC entry: #6 Mini Cheesecake Bites.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  11. Oh, my mouth is watering! I can taste that banana. And that fudge on top. YUM!

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  12. How beautiful! What a creative idea for cheesecake. So glad your husband stepped up to help you out!

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  13. What a fantastic cheesecake! I love the combination of chocolate and banana flavours and the vibrant colours!

    Stopping by from Crazy Cooking Challenge #59 – I pinned and tweeted your cheesecake!

    Amber
    http://thecookssister.wordpress.com

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  14. Your cheesecake looks so wonderful! I love the creaminess mixed with the chocolate ganache! Yum! I am putting this on my "must make" list.
    Great recipe! CCC #22

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  15. That chocolate layer is amazing!

    Thank you for being a part of the CRAZY COOKING CHALLENGE. Watch for upcoming details about the next years challenge.

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  16. This looks good! I would have never thought of bananas in a cheesecake, but I can see that it works. #76

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  17. Thank is utterly delicious. I musk make it on my birthday. Thanks for the recipe..:)

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  18. I loooooooove cheesecakes and I've never eaten banana-split-cake
    I'm pinning it as I'd love to try

    I'm not participating in this challenge, although I've just posted a great no-bake cookie cheesecake

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  19. Yummy, great combo of flavors!! I'd love to have you link this up to Tasty Thursdays on The Mandatory Mooch. http://mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/08/tasty-thursdays-3.html

    Thanks, Nichi

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  20. LOVE the vanilla wafer crust. So creative! I can't think beyond the standard graham cracker crust...

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  21. I love the presentation and the concept. It is like a banana creme pie meets cheese cake gorgeous. Thanks for sharing it on foodie friday.

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  22. You are a genius! Time to buy some bananas! Thanks for stopping by Foodie Friday!

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  23. We heart banana split cheesecake here!!! Your picture is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the contrast of colors with the cheesecake totally popping out of the picture!!!

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  24. Gosh!
    You should get arrested for making us hungry, LOL
    The Banana Split Cheesecake look so fresh on the pancake.

    We're really impressed with your creation, may we share your photos in our food photography site
    http://www.foodporn.net ?

    Just in case you haven't heard about it, Food porn is food photography site where foodies and bloggers around the world submit their best creation and get featured.

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  25. Congratulations your pie is being featured today on foodie friday please stop by and get your featured button. It really is a great pie.

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  26. This is lovely! I've made a Nigella Lawson banana cheesecake recipe and used dulce de leche instead of ganache both under the filling and on top, which is delish, but I think that as a chocoholic myself, I'd prefer yours! Thanks for sharing! You've peaked my interest in cheesecake making, that's been pretty low for awhile after I baked way too many in Feb/March to raise funds for my family to head to Italy for a mission trip with Youth with a Mission. (It's not a shabby way to raise $ either, just in case anyone needs to.)

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  27. Hi there! I really want to make this for my sister's birthday, and was just wondering if you used over ripe or over ripe frozen bananas. Do you think using frozen would change the consistancy?

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  28. I used sugar free chocolate syrup and caramel topping to make this. This is an awesome recipe!

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