Banana-Strawberry Cheesecake Fantasy
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, mashed
Strawberry Topping:
1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup water
Whipped Cream (Optional):
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or cheesecake dish.
Make the Crust:
In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until fully combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan to form an even crust layer.
Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes. Let it cool while preparing the filling.
Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and mashed bananas until combined.
Bake the Cheesecake:
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly jiggles. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.
Make the Strawberry Topping:
In a saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes a glossy sauce, about 5-7 minutes.
Allow the strawberry topping to cool before pouring it over the cheesecake layer.
Whipped Cream (Optional):
In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until soft peaks form.
Pipe or spread whipped cream over the top of the cheesecake as desired.
Assemble:
Once the cheesecake has set and the strawberry topping has cooled, carefully pour the strawberry topping over the cheesecake, spreading it evenly.
Optionally, garnish with whipped cream or additional fresh strawberries for extra flair.
Chill and Serve:
Allow the Banana-Strawberry Cheesecake to chill for another 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 6 hours (with chilling)
Kcal: Approx. 320 kcal per slice | Servings: 10-12