Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups nilla wafer crumbs (for the crust)
• 2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar (for the crust)
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted (for the crust)
• 16 oz (454g) cream cheese, softened (for the cheesecake)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (for the cheesecake)
• 1 ripe banana, mashed (~100g) (for the cheesecake)
• 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream, room temp (for the cheesecake)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for the cheesecake)
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (for the cheesecake)
• 2 eggs, room temp (for the cheesecake)
• 1 cup (240g) cold heavy whipping cream (for the whipped cream)
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar (for the whipped cream)
• 1 tbsp (12g) dry banana pudding mix (from a 3.4 oz box) (for the whipped cream)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for the whipped cream)
• Remaining pudding mix (~84g) (for the banana pudding)
• 1 2/3 cups cold milk (for the banana pudding)
• + lots of banana slices and crushed nilla wafers (for the banana pudding)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the nilla wafer crumbs, sugar, and butter together well.
3. Press into the prepared pan and bake 6-8 minutes.
4. Let it cool.
5. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
6. Add sour cream, mashed banana, cornstarch, and vanilla, mixing until combined.
7. Add the eggs and mix on low speed or by hand until just combined.
8. Spread this filling over the cooled crust.
9. Bake for 30-40 min, until edges are set and the center still has a little jiggle.
10. Cool for at least 30 minutes at room temp, then chill for at least 3 hours.
11. Prepare the pudding. Reserve 1 tbsp of the pudding mix for the whipped cream.
12. Whisk the rest of the pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes or until thickened.
13. Cover & chill until ready to use.
14. To make the whipped cream, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, 1 tbsp pudding mix, and vanilla to medium peaks. Don't over whip.
15. Arrange a layer of sliced bananas over the chilled cheesecake.
16. Spread a layer of banana pudding over it (I didn't use it all, had a little leftover).
17. Spread the whipped cream on top.
18. Top with nilla wafer crumbs.
19. Chill again briefly so that the top can firm up a bit.