So we've been on a roll with creating hybrid desserts here lately like this banoffee millionaires shortbread. And this one here is what happens when you cross banoffee pie with cheesecake.
The result is the most delicious and super creamy cheesecake with an intense banana flavor thanks to caramelized bananas. If you're a lover of banoffee pie, you'll want to try this easy banoffee cheesecake recipe. If you're also a fan of mashup desserts then be sure to check out my tiramisu cheesecake recipe as well.
Ingredients overview
Ingredients for the banana cheesecake
- Bananas: You'll want to use ripe bananas for this recipe, but not so ripe that they are mushy, as you'll need to be able to slice them.
- Cashews: For that distinct tangy flavor and creamy consistency in vegan cheesecake recipes. They also provide some structure to the filling as they act as a thickening agent when blended with the other ingredients.
- Vegan cream cheese: I use violife, but you can use any vegan-friendly cream cheese that’s available to you.
- Vegan greek-style yogurt: I love adding yogurt to vegan cheesecake recipes. It helps to create a creamier, lighter, and tangier filling than using just vegan cream cheese or coconut milk alone.
- Pure maple syrup: I pretty much always use maple syrup to sweeten my vegan cheesecakes.
- Vanilla bean paste: As always, vanilla is recommended to bring out the sweetness and add complexity to the flavors. It is the perfect match for the banana flavor in the cheesecake layer.
- Lemon juice: this creates that tangy cheesecake flavor. Lemon juice also prevents the banana slices for the garnish from discoloring.
- Coconut oil: This is what helps this banana cream cheesecake to set, if you don't like the flavor of coconut opt for odorless coconut oil.
- Digestive biscuits: the crust of this vegan cheesecake recipe is super easy and just requires store-bought vegan-friendly cookies such as digestive biscuits or graham crackers and some vegan butter. You can also add some optional salt and coconut sugar to the crust to really elevate the flavor.
- Coconut sugar: This is optional, but it adds a delicious slight caramelized flavor and sweetness to both the crust and cheesecake filling.
Ingredients for the toppings
- Sweetened condensed coconut milk: The caramel sauce for this vegan banana cheesecake is made with condensed milk, vegan condensed milk that is! Apart from homemade, the only brand I personally recommend is Nature’s Charm. Their quality is second to none, plus they are a women-owned vegan business that I love to support.
- Soft brown sugar: The acidity in the brown sugar will help to prevent the caramel sauce from crystallizing.
- You also need some more vegan butter and sea salt for the caramel sauce
- Coconut whipped cream: You can also use vegan whippable custard as the topping. I tried this with the oatly vanilla custard and it was a dream.
- Vegan chocolate: You can go for dark chocolate or dairy-free milk chocolate, whatever tickles your fancy.
How to make this recipe (with step-by-step images)
(Full ingredient quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post)
Step 1: Biscuit crust
Making the base for this vegan banana caramel cheesecake could not be easier. Simply add the dry ingredients to your food processor (biscuits and coconut sugar and salt if using) and blitz until they form a light crumb consistency. Then add in your vegan butter and blend again until everything sticks together between your fingers.
Next press the dough into the base of a lined cake tin. You can use a flat bottomed glass or cup measure to flatten it down. Place a little parchment paper between the crust and the glass if the mixture is sticking.
Step 2: Cheesecake filling
Slice the bananas into coins. Add 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil to a saucepan and turn the heat on high. Once the oil is hot add the banana coins and fry them for 2-5 minutes, tossing them occasionally to prevent them from burning to the pan.
So here's the thing, once you fry up those banana coins they won't be the most attractive looking but their flavor will be supercharged! Anyway, in the next step, we're going to blend them up with the remaining filling ingredients so no need to worry.
Add the caramelized banana coins to your high-speed blender along with all of the other ingredients for the cheesecake filling and blend until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the mixture to the cake tin and tap the tin on the counter to knock out any air bubbles. Place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours or overnight if possible.
Step 3: Caramel sauce
Meanwhile to make the caramel add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and simmer on medium heat whilst stirring. Place your candy thermometer in the caramel and stop stirring. Continue simmering until it reaches 105°C (221°F). Remove from the heat and allow the caramel to cool to remove temperature.
Step 4: Assembling the cheesecake
Pour half of the caramel on top of the cake, you can reserve the other half to serve alongside your cheesecake (in case peeps are looking for extra caramel sauce, which I almost guarantee will happen!)
Slice the bananas lengthways and place them in a bowl with the lemon juice. Coat them in the juice then pat them with a paper towel to remove the excess moisture. Arrange the bananas on top of the caramel and top with whipped coconut cream and chocolate shavings.
Substitutions
- Vanilla bean paste: Use one vanilla pod (scraping out the seeds) or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in its place.
- Vegan Greek-style yogurt: Use regular soy or coconut yogurt instead.
- Vegan cream cheese: You can swap this out for coconut cream or chilled full-fat canned coconut milk (using the cream from the can and not the water).
Variations
- Banana foster cheesecake: Add some 2 tablespoons of rum and a teaspoon of cinnamon to the bananas while they caramelize to create a vegan banana foster-inspired cheesecake.
Storage instructions
This cake will store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. If you are planning on freezing the cake, do not add the toppings (caramel, banana, and whipped cream) until ready to serve.
Freezing instructions
If you plan on freezing your banoffee cheesecake, do so before you add the garnish on top. If you freeze the cheesecake with the bananas on top, they will turn mushy once defrosted. Cover the cheesecake with cling film or place it in an airtight container and freeze.
Remove the cheesecake from the freezer to defrost for 1-2 hours before serving. Then add your garnishes (banana slices, coconut cream, etc).
More vegan cheesecake recipes
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Description
Ingredients
Crust
- 14 (200 g) digestive biscuits, or graham crackers (weight equivalent to 200g)
- 2 tablespoons (25 g) coconut sugar, or any brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons (84 g) vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) sea salt
Cheesecake filling
- 400 g (14.11 oz) bananas, (approx 6 small or 4 large bananas)
- coconut oil, for frying
- 7 oz (200 g) cashews, soaked *see recipe notes
- 10.6 oz (300 g) vegan cream cheese
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup
- 2.88 oz (82 g) vegan greek style yoghurt, or ¼ cup soya/coconut yoghurt
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons (37 g) coconut sugar
- 5 tablespoons (70 g) coconut oil, solid
Caramel
- 7 oz (200 g) sweetened condensed coconut milk
- ½ cup (110 g) soft brown sugar, (light muscovado)
- 80 g (2.8 oz) vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) sea salt
Toppings
- 2 bananas
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups (360 g) vegan whipped cream, or rice whipped cream
- 2 oz (56 g) vegan chocolate , grated
Instructions
Crust
- Add the biscuits, coconut sugar, and salt to your food processor and blitz for a minute or so until they form a light crumb consistency. Add the vegan butter and blend again until the ingredients stick together to form a dough.
- Line the base of a 7.5 or 8" cake tin (with a removable base) with some parchment paper. Press the dough into the base of your cake tin. Pack it down tightly using a spatula or glass, and set it aside in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Cheesecake filling
- Slice the bananas into coins. Add 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil to a saucepan and turn the heat on high. Once the oil is hot add the banana coins and fry them for 2-5 minutes, tossing them occasionally to prevent them from burning to the pan.
- Add the caramelized banana coins to your high-speed blender along with all of the other ingredients for the cheesecake filling and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to the cake tin and tap the tin on the counter to knock out any air bubbles. Place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours or overnight if possible.
Caramel
- Meanwhile, to make the caramel add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and simmer on medium heat whilst stirring. Place your candy thermometer in the caramel and stop stirring. Continue simmering until it reaches 105°C (221°F). Remove from the heat and allow the caramel to cool to remove temperature.
Assembly
- Remove the cake from the cake tin at least 1 hour before serving to allow time for it to defrost.
- Pour the caramel on top of the cake, and reserve about half for serving.
- Slice the bananas lengthways and place them in a bowl with the lemon juice. Coat them in the juice then pat them with a paper towel to remove the excess moisture. Arrange the bananas on top of the caramel and top with whipped coconut cream and chocolate shavings.
Storage
- This cake will store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. If you are planning on freezing the cake, do not add the toppings (caramel, banana, and whipped cream) until ready to serve.
Notes
- Soaked cashews: Place the cashews in a bowl with filtered water and allow them to soak for 4 hours. Alternatively, cover them in boiling water and allow them to soak for 1 hour. Rinse them clean and drain them before use.
Nutrition
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