Homemade Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars is easy and everyone will be impressed with this Recipe. The secret to a perfect Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars is to freeze them. There isn’t a super-quick way to firm them up, so we highly suggest making these the night before and garnishing them right before serving.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cook Time: 10 Minutes | Total Time: 25 Minutes | Yield: 12

Ingredients

For Crust

• 6 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 stick) + 5 tablespoons salted butter, melted

For Filling

• 8 (8 ounce) packages full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature 
• 3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 (3.4 ounce) package banana cream instant pudding powder
• 5 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
• 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoon almond extract

For Topping

• banana cream pudding- optional
• mini nilla wafers- optional
• fresh banana coins- optional
• optional : fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by fitting it with parchment paper with enough paper hanging over the sides to ensure easy lifting; and then spray it with baking spray for extra measure. Then set it aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter together. Use your hands (with disposable gloves, if desired) to bring everything together until it begins to feel like wet sand. Empty the crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan and use your hands/bottom of a measuring cup to firmly press the mixture tightly onto the bottom of the pan.
3. Bake the crust in the oven for 10 minutes. Then set it aside while you make the filling.

For Cheesecake Filling

1. Prepare the cheesecake filling: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese together until silky smooth. Then add in the brown sugar and continue beating until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the banana cream instant pudding powder and heavy cream together. Use a whisk to combine the mixture together until the pudding powder dissolves- it’s okay if it is not completely smooth. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the cream cheese and continue beating together until everything is combined with no visible lumps present. Then add in the vanilla bean paste and almond extract, and beat again to fully combine.
3. Pour the cheesecake filling directly on top of the cooled crust. The cheesecake batter should be thick, use an offset spatula to smooth the filling out evenly in the pan. Cover the baking pan carefully with plastic wrap or foil and transfer the pan into the refrigerator to let the cheesecake set overnight for at least 8 hours or ideally for 12 hours (for best results).

Serving

1. Take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator and carefully lift the parchment paper sides out. Place the cheesecake onto a large enough plate or board. Then use a large knife to cut it into squares- I like to run my knife under hot water in between slicing to ensure clean/neat cuts. 
2. Garnish the cheesecake squares with a dollop of banana cream pudding, mini nilla wafers, banana coins, and fresh mint leaves, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered/without garnishes, for up to one week. You can also freeze the cheesecake bars for 3 weeks.

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