Description
Let me tell you about the dessert that made my mother-in-law finally admit I could bake. This Banana Strawberry Cheesecake Fantasy has been my secret weapon at family gatherings for years now! I stumbled upon the basic concept when I had way too many ripe bananas and a carton of strawberries that needed to be used ASAP. What started as kitchen desperation turned into the dessert everyone now expects me to bring to every holiday.
It’s basically three amazing layers of goodness: a buttery graham cracker crust (with a twist!), a creamy banana cheesecake middle, and a fresh strawberry topping that makes the whole thing look fancy even though it’s actually pretty simple to make. The combination of banana and strawberry gives you those perfect strawberry-banana smoothie vibes but in an indulgent cheesecake form.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 15–16 full sheets, crushed)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional, but they add amazing texture!)
For the Banana Cheesecake Layer:
- 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened (MUST be full-fat – I learned this the hard way)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (the spottier the better for sweetness!)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon banana extract (optional, but it really amps up the banana flavor)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration (because we eat with our eyes first!):
- Sliced fresh strawberries
- Sliced banana (tossed with a little lemon juice to prevent browning)
- Whipped cream
- Mint leaves (if you’re feeling extra fancy)