Name: Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 5 h
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (150g) gluten-free graham cracker crumbs; 1/4 cup (50g) firmly packed light brown sugar; 6 tablespoons (85g) melted unsalted butter; 16 oz. cream cheese brought to room temperature; 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk; 1/2 cup (113g) sour cream, at room temperature; 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 cup (227g) mashed bananas

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Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares offer a perfect blend of creamy cheesecake and classic pudding flavor in one simple, irresistible bar. These squares are the ideal make-ahead dessert for parties or any time you need a sweet, comforting treat with a graham cracker crust base.

Key Takeaways

Preparation is Key: Ensure your cream cheese and sour cream are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
Chill Time is Critical: The bars must chill for a minimum of four hours to fully set, making slicing easy.
Use Full-Fat: Always use full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the best texture and structure.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares are a baked dessert made by pressing a graham cracker crumb crust into a pan, topping it with a rich mixture of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and mashed banana, then baking until set. You must then chill them for at least four hours before slicing and serving.

Why Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares are the Best Treat

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares deliver the nostalgic taste of Southern banana pudding while providing the rich, tangy base of a traditional cheesecake. You get the perfect two-in-one dessert that is far simpler to prepare than a full-size cheesecake or a layered pudding trifle. This easy bar format makes serving and portioning a breeze for any gathering or weeknight treat you plan to enjoy.

When you seek a comforting dessert that everyone will love, these squares are the perfect answer. The combination of the sweet graham cracker crust and the creamy, baked banana filling creates a harmonious texture and flavor profile. These are especially great for meal prepping your desserts since they keep well in the refrigerator for several days.

Perfecting the Crust for Your Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares

Selecting the Right Crumb Base

While this recipe calls for gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, you have other options to consider for the base. You might choose classic vanilla wafers, like Nilla wafers, to lean into the traditional banana pudding flavor even more strongly. Simply use an equal measure of crushed crumbs to maintain the recipe’s ratio.

No matter which cookie you choose, the crust needs to be firm enough to support the creamy filling. Mixing your crumbs with melted butter and brown sugar creates a pressable mixture. This is the simple secret to a sturdy base that will not crumble when you go to slice your finished dessert.

Pressing and Pre-Baking Techniques

You should firmly press the crumb mixture into your prepared 8-inch square baking dish, making sure the layer is completely even. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to achieve a dense, flat layer across the bottom of the pan. The crust does not need pre-baking, but chilling it briefly helps it set up before the filling is added.

Lining your baking dish with parchment paper is a necessary step that you should not skip. This creates “slings” that allow you to easily lift the cooled and set Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares out of the pan. You can then transfer the entire slab to a cutting board for perfectly neat slices every time.

Creating the Silky-Smooth Cheesecake Filling

The Importance of Room Temperature Ingredients

For the smoothest cheesecake filling imaginable, you must ensure that the cream cheese and sour cream are fully at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy batter, which cannot be fixed later without overmixing. Take the ingredients out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you plan to start baking.

You need to use full-fat cream cheese blocks, as the spreadable tubs contain stabilizers and ingredients that can change the final texture. When beating the cream cheese, start slowly until it’s perfectly creamy, then gradually add the other liquids. You want a light, airy base for your cheesecake.

Integrating the Banana and Sweetener

The mashed banana is the star, lending its rich, sweet, and unique flavor to the creamy mixture. You want to mix the mashed banana in gently at the end to ensure the batter remains smooth. A few tiny lumps of banana are perfectly acceptable and add character.

Sweetened condensed milk is your main sweetener, which also helps create a wonderfully dense and rich filling texture. This ingredient is the bridge between the traditional pudding and the baked cheesecake. The vanilla extract you add enhances all the deep, comforting flavors of the dessert.

Baking and Cooling Your Dessert Bars

Understanding the Baking Time and Temperature

You will bake the Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares at a low temperature of $300^\circ$F. This gentle heat is crucial for ensuring the cheesecake sets evenly without cracking or drying out. Baking for about 40 minutes should be enough, but watch for a firm center.

The edges of the cheesecake should appear set and slightly golden, but the center should still have a slight jiggle. If you overbake it, the texture will become grainy and dry, so remove it from the oven when the center is just barely soft. This recipe for easy creamy baked mac and cheese also benefits from controlled low heat.

The Crucial Role of Cooling and Chilling

After baking, you must allow the cheesecake to cool completely on the counter before moving it to the refrigerator. Sudden temperature changes cause cracks, so let it transition slowly. Cooling it this way prevents structural damage to the delicate baked filling.

The mandatory chilling time of at least four hours (or preferably overnight) is when the flavors meld and the structure fully sets. This results in the clean, beautiful squares you expect. For more helpful baking tips, check out our Pinterest account.

Serving and Storing Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares

Tips for Clean Slicing

Once your bars are thoroughly chilled, use a long, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between each cut. This technique ensures that your slices of Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares are incredibly neat and clean. You want to cut the entire slab of cheesecake while it is still cold.

First, lift the entire cheesecake out of the pan using the parchment paper slings, then cut it into nine squares. For a decorative touch, you can add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a small slice of banana to the top of each serving. Don’t forget to visit crispy parmesan chicken with a rich garlic sauce for savory dinner ideas.

Storing Leftovers Safely

You can store any leftover cheesecake squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Since this recipe uses real mashed banana, the flavor profile remains excellent throughout the storage time. You should not freeze these bars, as the texture may change when thawed.

Always serve these bars cold straight from the refrigerator for the best, firmest texture. If you plan to serve them outside, keep them cool until the last possible moment. For other simple, delicious dessert ideas, you can check out the Desserts Category.

Variations on the Classic Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares

Swapping Out the Crust Flavor

If you love chocolate, you can easily swap the graham crackers for chocolate wafer crumbs or even crushed Oreos for a darker flavor profile. You might also try a gingersnap crust if you prefer a subtle spice that pairs well with banana. This small change creates a vastly different but equally delicious bar.

Remember that the amount of melted butter needed may slightly vary depending on the type of cookie crumb you use, so adjust as necessary until the mixture resembles wet sand. Experimenting with your crust is a fun way to personalize this wonderful recipe to your own taste preferences.

Adding Toppings and Garnishes

For extra decadence, you can drizzle a little caramel or chocolate sauce over the top of the chilled bars before serving. You could also sprinkle the tops with crushed vanilla wafers, which is a classic banana pudding touch. Feel free to follow our Instagram for more creative presentation ideas.

Another popular option is to add a thin layer of sliced fresh bananas over the baked and cooled cheesecake before chilling, then covering that with a layer of whipped cream right before serving. This truly layers the flavors, giving you that full Southern dessert experience in a convenient square.

Essential Baking Tips for Cheesecake Success

Preventing Common Cheesecake Issues

One of the biggest issues you might face is cracking, which often comes from rapid cooling or overmixing the batter. You should always use low speed when blending the filling ingredients and avoid whipping too much air into the mixture. As mentioned earlier, let the bars cool gradually inside the oven once it’s off.

Another tip is to make sure you use an 8-inch pan. Using a pan that is too large will result in thin bars that bake too quickly and can dry out. The proper pan size ensures you have thick, rich, and creamy squares every single time.

Troubleshooting Lumpy Filling

If you find your filling is lumpy, it almost certainly means your cream cheese was not at room temperature. The best fix is to stop mixing, let the batter sit for 10 minutes to warm up further, then try to gently beat it again. If it is still lumpy, simply proceed—it will still taste delicious, just be less visually perfect.

For future batches, cut your cream cheese into smaller blocks and let them sit out longer before you begin your dessert preparation. This simple act is the single most important step to achieving that desirable, uniform, velvety texture that defines a perfect cheesecake bar.

Conclusion

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares are a dessert masterpiece, seamlessly blending the rich, tangy creaminess of a cheesecake with the comforting sweetness of traditional banana pudding. You’ll appreciate how quick and easy this recipe is, especially since it uses simple ingredients and bakes in a standard square pan. Serving these bars cold ensures the best flavor and texture, offering a spectacular bite.

You can easily prepare these a day ahead, which makes them the perfect fuss-free dessert for any event or celebration you might be hosting. The satisfying graham cracker crust combined with the smooth, banana-infused filling guarantees smiles all around. Get ready to enjoy the most delicious and simple treat you’ve ever made!