Bananas Foster Cheesecake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
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This creamy Bananas Foster Cheesecake is a decadent dessert that you can easily prepare in your own kitchen! A perfect cheesecake made from scratch is topped with a classic, sugary-sweet bananas foster sauce! I dare you to just have one slice!!

Bananas foster cheesecake on a cake platter.

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Homemade Bananas Foster Cheesecake

If you’re a banana lover, my goodness, you’re in for such a treat. This Bananas Foster Cheesecake is made rich with banana flavor, the creamiest classic cheesecake filling, all piled high atop my favorite graham cracker crust.ย The amazing Bananas Foster sauce on top is what seals the deal and makes this cheesecake so insanely delicious.

Banana cakes are obviously fantastic desserts for any time of year. My Banana Layer Cake is always a hit and one of the first to go! Every party I have brought this banana cheesecake to this year has disappeared just as quickly. It’s simply irresistible!

Go grab those bananas sitting on the counter and treat yourself to this delicious banana cheesecake!ย I guarantee you will be going back for seconds, and if you are wearing stretchy leggings, thirds.

Slice of cheesecake on a plate.

What is Bananas Foster?

Bananas foster is a dessert that is traditionally served over ice cream. It was invented at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans in 1951. With my family being from Louisiana, Bananas Foster has always been a favorite in our house.

For a classic Bananas Foster, you first slice bananas, and then you cook them in a sauce made with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, dark rum and butter. It’s then lit on fire to burn off the alcohol and is served over ice cream.

Instead of pouring that sweet bananas foster over ice cream, though, you’re going to pour it on top of a creamy cheesecake!ย Such a perfect dessert mash up!

Slice of bananas foster cheesecake.

Recipe Ingredients 

Now that you’re an expert on all things bananas foster, let’s get to work! Collect the following ingredients:

For the Cheesecake:

  • Cream Cheese: let it soften before starting the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Flour
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Eggs: let them come to room temperature before starting.
  • 8-inch Graham Cracker Crust: in an 8-inch springform pan.

For the Bananas Foster Topping:

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Packed Brown Sugar: light or brown both work.
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon Stick
  • Bananas: use bananas that are ripe, but not overly ripe. You want them perfectly yellow and firm.
  • Dark Rum
Whipped cheesecake batter in a bowl.

How to Make Bananas Foster Cheesecake

Making this cheesecake is a breeze. It does take a while to bake, but your kitchen will smell AMAZING by the time you pull it out of the oven. Here’s what you’ll need to do to get started:

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF.

Mix: In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using a hand mixer, cream the cream cheese and sugar for at LEAST 5 minutes or until smooth.

Vanilla and flour in cheesecake batter.

Combine: Add in the flour and vanilla and mix until well combined. Scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, as needed.

Whip the Batter: Next, add in the heavy whipping cream and whip for 1-2 minutes. Scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl, as needed, Last, add in the eggs one at a time and mix until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.

Graham cracker crust in a pan.

Remove Air Bubbles: Add the filling into the prepared 8-inch graham cracker crust in an 8-inch springform pan and gently tap on the counter 10-15 times to remove any air bubbles.

Cheesecake batter being poured onto a graham cracker crust.
Cheesecake batter in a springform pan.

Bake: Bake for 15 minutes and without opening the door, reduce the heat to 200 degrees and continue baking for 55-60 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles but the sides are set.

Baked cheesecake in a pan.

Let Cool: Then turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes slightly crack the oven door and allow to cool for an additional 20 minutes. (This is an optional step, but this will help avoid your cheesecake cracking)

Refrigerate: Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. After completely cooled, place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to overnight.

Brown sugar and butter in a pan.

How to Make Bananas Foster Sauce:

Now that you have the cheesecake, it’s time to make the sauce! These brown-sugar-and-butter coated bananas are absolutely essential to pulling this cake together.

For the Sauce: Once the cheesecake is set, prepare the topping by adding the butter, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon stick into a skillet and heat over medium heat stirring continuously until melted and smooth.

Add the Bananas: Add in the bananas and reduce the heat to med-low and allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Carefully mix the bananas to coat in the sauce.

Banana slices in bananas foster sauce.

Decorate: Next, add in the rum and CAREFULLY, using a kitchen torch, torch the bananas while slowly swirling the mixture until the flame dies out. It should take about 1 minute. Allow the topping to cool slightly then pour over the cheesecake. Serve and enjoy!

Bananas foster cheesecake topped with banana slices.

Tips for Success

This banana cheesecake is almost too pretty to cut into… Almost.ย Then after that first bite you will be going back for seconds — guaranteed!

Anyways, here are some helpful tips to help you achieve the best cheesecake:

  • Plan Ahead: It is definitely ideal to make this cheesecake a day before you plan to serve it (the cheesecake, NOT the topping).
  • Preparing the Cream Cheese: Make sure you are using a good quality cream cheese and it is at room temperature before beginning.
  • Use Room Temperature Eggs: room temperature eggs ensure a smooth and creamy cheesecake. The eggs will not combine as smoothly if they are chilled.
  • Creaming the Cream Cheese: Cream the cream cheese for at LEAST 5 minutes. This is an important step and the longer you cream the cream cheese the better the consistency of your cheesecake will be.
  • How to Get a Smooth Filling: Make sure you scrape the sides and bottom of your bowl after the addition of each ingredient. This helps keep the filling nice and smooth.
  • Don’t Over Mix: DO NOT OVER MIX THE EGGS. Mix just until the yolk disappears into the mixture and add the next.
  • How to Avoid Cracks in the Cake: Allowing the cheesecake to cool in the oven with the door closed is the only way I have been able to repeatedly get smooth cheesecakes with no cracks. Like I said above, this is an optional step, but it’s worth it.
  • Refrigerate the Cheesecake: I know it is hard, but let the cheesecake set in the fridge overnight. You will not be sorry.
Slice of banana cheesecake with sauce.

How to Store Cheesecake 

You’ll want to refrigerate this cheesecake in an airtight container and eat it within 3-4 days. I doubt it will take you that long to devour it, though!

If you want to freeze the cheesecake, I recommend not topping it with the sauce. This Bananas Foster sauce does not freeze well. You can wrap the entire cheesecake (without sauce), or a single slice, tightly with saran wrap and a second layer of foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to serve it, let it thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and then make the Bananas Foster sauce on top!

Bite of bananas foster cheesecake on a fork.

This Bananas Foster Cheesecake tastes just as delicious as it looks, I bet you won’t have any leftovers! Bring this epic banana cheesecake to a gathering and watch it disappear in seconds.

I promise you won’t be let down with this recipe if you follow all my tips above. Biggest tips, make sure and use room temperature ingredients and beat your cream cheese for the full time!

Bananas foster cheesecake topped with banana slices.
4.6 from 19 votes
Print Pin Recipe
Yield: 12 servings

Bananas Foster Cheesecake

Bananas Foster Cheesecake is the perfect combination of creamy cheesecake filling, crumbly graham cracker crust and sweet brown-sugar-coated bananas. Your tastebuds won't even believe what hit them when you try this banana cake!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cheesecake:

For the Bananas Foster Topping:

  • ยผ cup unsalted butter
  • ยฝ cup packed brown sugar
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 bananas, sliced
  • โ…“ cup dark rum

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Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using a hand mixer, cream the cream cheese and sugar for at LEAST 5 minutes or until smooth.
    Vanilla and flour in cheesecake batter.
  • Add in the flour and vanilla and mix until well combined. Scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, as needed.
    Whipped cheesecake batter in a bowl.
  • Next, add in the heavy whipping cream and whip for 1-2 minutes. Scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl, as needed, Last, add in the eggs one at a time and mix until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
    Cheesecake batter being poured onto a graham cracker crust.
  • Add the filling into the prepared 8-inch graham cracker crust in an 8-inch springform pan and gently tap on the counter 10-15 times to remove any air bubbles.
    Cheesecake batter in a springform pan.
  • Bake for 15 minutes and without opening the door, reduce the heat to 200 degrees and continue baking for 55-60 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles but the sides are set.
  • Then turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes slightly crack the oven door and allow to cool for an additional 20 minutes. (This is an optional step, but this will help avoid your cheesecake cracking)
    Baked cheesecake in a pan.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. After completely cooled, place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to overnight.
  • Once the cheesecake is set, prepare the topping by adding the butter, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon stick into a skillet and heat over medium heat stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Add in the bananas and reduce the heat to med-low and allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Carefully mix the bananas to coat in the sauce.
  • Next, add in the rum and CAREFULLY, using a kitchen torch, torch the bananas while slowly swirling the mixture until the flame dies out. It should take about 1 minute. Allow the topping to cool slightly then pour over the cheesecake. Serve and enjoy!
    Bananas foster cheesecake on a cake platter.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 816kcal, Carbohydrates: 96g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 43g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g, Cholesterol: 88mg, Sodium: 661mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 43g

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I use this Cheesecake base for everything! Would I be able to use this recipe for mini cheesecakes? Bake at 350ยฐf for about 25mins?

Can you mix in or swirl in the banana foster topping in the cheesecake mixture and bake it?

Is the cheesecake made ahead and the topping last minute or can it all be made ahead?

Could you add rum to the cheesecake to enhance the banana foster flavor?

I’ll be making this cheesecake for family–will the alcohol cook off completely? Thanks in advance!

It turned out great. I made it gluten free with gf sugar cookies instead of the crackers. And rice flour instead of the regular flour! Delish!! Donโ€™t forget ingredients need to be room temp!

Hi want to make this in the UK but I don’t know if our cream cheese packages are the same size as in the US. What weight are they? Thanks

They are 8 Oz packages. Hope this helps. Made it this morning for my husbands birthday! . So good!

Why no water bath?

Is this all purpose flour used in cheesecake?

Can you use clear rum instead ?

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Jessica
For the past 15 years, Jorge & Jessica have loved getting to share their families' favorite recipes with all of you. They live in Florida with their 3 kids.