By Lindy Van Schalkwyk, last updated on June 27, 2022
If you are looking for a new exciting cheesecake recipe to make for a special occasion, then you have to try our Cracker Jack banana cheesecake!
This cheesecake is stuffed with lots of complex flavors and wonderful complementing textures. And, it is easily adaptable to meet your needs.
What Is This Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake?
Some of you may be familiar with Cracker Jack, but unfortunately, it isn’t an international candy. So, for those of you who aren’t so sure exactly what this treat is, it’s essentially a famous American brand of caramel-coated popcorn and peanut mix that has been around for over 120 years!
This cheesecake recipe takes banana cream cheese desserts to a whole new level! We have developed a foolproof baked banana pudding cheesecake that is topped with a delicious caramel sauce and classic Cracker Jack popcorn and peanut garnishes.
This combines creamy textures with more crispy and savory ones while giving the cheesecake a beautiful look.
Now, we also love this recipe because of its versatility. You can easily alter any component of it to make it suits your needs best. You can change the flavor of the pudding you use, alter the intensity of your caramel sauce, and even tweak the texture of your garnish. This recipe is meant to be customized, so don’t hesitate to do so!
What You Will Need To Make Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake
Ingredients for the Crust
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cake flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
Ingredients for the Cheesecake
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup fine caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3.4-ounce box banana-flavored instant pudding
Ingredients for the Caramel Drizzle and Garnished
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 can (15-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk
- Cracker Jack popcorn and peanuts, for garnish
Equipment
- 9 or 10-inch springform cake pan
- Non-stick baking paper
- Non-stick baking spray or melted butter
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Food processor, optional but recommended
- Mixing bowls
- electric hand or stand mixer
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- Cooling rack
- Plastic wrap
How To Make Banana Pudding Cheesecake – Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cheesecake Crust
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Then, line a 9 or 10-inch springform cake pan with non-stick baking paper. For adding protection, spray the sides with a non-stick baking spray or brush it with melted butter.
To start making the cheesecake oat crust, add all of the dry ingredients inside a food processor. Pulse the mixture until the oats are finely crushed and the ingredients are distributed evenly.
Then, add the vanilla extract and softened butter. Mix the ingredients together again until you have a uniform texture.
Press the oat crust mixture into the lined springform cake pan. You can flatten the top by pressing it with the back of a measuring cup or flat-bottomed mug.
Then, pre-bake the cheesecake crust in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Banana Pudding Cheesecake Batter
For the Cracker Jack banana cheesecake filling, place the softened cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream the ingredients together until they become light and the sugar has almost dissolved. Then, quickly whisk in the vanilla extract.
Next, add the large eggs one at a time. Between the additions, make sure to mix the beaten cream cheese until the egg has almost been fully incorporated.
Finally, whisk in the banana pudding mix. Make sure to mix until you have a uniform cheesecake batter.
Step 3: Bake the Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake
Gently pour the cheesecake filling over your crust-lined cheesecake pan. Then, bake it for roughly 55-60 minutes.
You can test the doneness of the cheesecake by doing a jiggle test. Shake the cheesecake pan to see how much jiggle like jelly. Only the middle inch or two should move. This is when the cheesecake has been baked to perfection.
Alternatively, you can test the internal temperature of the cheesecake. When done, the center part should have a reading of 150ºF (65.5ºC).
Step 4: Properly Cool the Cheesecake
Once baked, switch off the oven and slightly crack the door open. Then, allow the cheesecake to cool for an hour.
Then, remove it and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Keep the cheesecake inside the pan and wrap it with plastic or saran wrap. Place the cheesecake inside the fridge and allow it to set for at least 6 to 8 hours, but preferably overnight.
Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce
To make the caramel drizzle, melt the butter inside a large saucepan. Once melted, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and condensed milk. Then, bring the mixture to a boil until it reaches 220ºF (104.4ºC).
Then, remove the caramel sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
Step 6: Assemble your Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake
Finally, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Then, place it on a cake stand or serving board. Drizzle the cheesecake with your homemade caramel sauce and garnish it with Cracker Jack popcorn and peanuts.
Tips and Tricks – Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake Recipe
- You can use a graham cracker crust recipe too, but the earthy flavor of the rolled oats goes well with the popcorn and peanuts.
- To remove your cheesecake from the springform cake pan, have a look at this tutorial for the best steps and tricks.
- You can easily make a salted caramel sauce by adding some salted butter and sea salt flakes. Just add a little bit at a time to slowly adjust the flavor. You don’t want to end up with a salty mess!
- You can make this entire recipe inside a square pan to create easy banana cheesecake bars. Just cut them up before storing them in an airtight container. They make wonderful on-the-go snacks.
Servings And Preparation Times For This Delicious Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake
| Preparation Times | Baking Times | Servings |
| 25 minutes | 55-60 minutes | 8-10 |
Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake – Final Thoughts
We are sure that you will fall in love with this delicious Cracker jack banana cheesecake. Even though it does take some time to make, it will certainly be the talk of the town!
If you have any other recipes that you would like us to cover, let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
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Cracker Jack Banana Cheesecake
Equipment
- 9 or 10-inch springform cake pan
- Non-stick baking paper
- Non-stick baking spray or melted butter
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Food processor, optional but recommended
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand or stand mixer
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- Cooling rack
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Crust
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cake flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup salted butter softened at room temperature
Ingredients for the Cheesecake
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup fine caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 3.4- ounce box banana-flavored instant pudding
Ingredients for the Caramel Drizzle and Garnished
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 can 15-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- Cracker Jack popcorn and peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Then, line a 9 or 10-inch springform cake pan with non-stick baking paper. For adding protection, spray the sides with a non-stick baking spray or brush it with melted butter.
- To start making the cheesecake oat crust, add all of the dry ingredients inside a food processor. Pulse the mixture until the oats are finely crushed and the ingredients are distributed evenly.
- Then, add the vanilla extract and softened butter. Mix the ingredients together again until you have a uniform texture.
- Press the oat crust mixture into the lined springform cake pan. You can flatten the top by pressing it with the back of a measuring cup or flat-bottomed mug.
- Then, pre-bake the cheesecake crust in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- For the Cracker Jack banana cheesecake filling, place the softened cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream the ingredients together until they become light and the sugar has almost dissolved. Then, quickly whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Next, add the large eggs one at a time. Between the additions, make sure to mix the beaten cream cheese until the egg has almost been fully incorporated.
- Finally, whisk in the banana pudding mix. Make sure to mix until you have a uniform cheesecake batter.
- Gently pour the cheesecake filling over your crust-lined cheesecake pan. Then, bake it for roughly 55-60 minutes.
- You can test the doneness of the cheesecake by doing a jiggle test. Shake the cheesecake pan to see how much jiggle like jelly. Only the middle inch or two should move. This is when the cheesecake has been baked to perfection.
- Alternatively, you can test the internal temperature of the cheesecake. When done, the center part should have a reading of 150ºF (65.5ºC).
- Once baked, switch off the oven and slightly crack the door open. Then, allow the cheesecake to cool for an hour.
- Then, remove it and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Keep the cheesecake inside the pan and wrap it with plastic or saran wrap. Place the cheesecake inside the fridge and allow it to set for at least 6 to 8 hours, but preferably overnight.
- To make the caramel drizzle, melt the butter inside a large saucepan. Once melted, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and condensed milk. Then, bring the mixture to a boil until it reaches 220ºF (104.4ºC).
- Then, remove the caramel sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Finally, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Then, place it on a cake stand or serving board. Drizzle the cheesecake with your homemade caramel sauce and garnish it with Cracker Jack popcorn and peanuts.
Notes
To remove your cheesecake from the springform cake pan, have a look at this tutorial for the best steps and tricks.
You can easily make a salted caramel sauce by adding some salted butter and sea salt flakes. Just add a little bit at a time to slowly adjust the flavor. You don't want to end up with a salty mess!
You can make this entire recipe inside a square pan to create easy banana cheesecake bars. Just cut them up before storing them in an airtight container. They make wonderful on-the-go snacks.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.