Banana-Strawberry Cheesecake Fantasy (Print version)

A creamy baked banana and strawberry cheesecake with a buttery graham crust and fresh fruit folded into the filling.

# Ingredients:

For the crust

01 - 2 cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs
02 - 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional

For the filling

04 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed
05 - 3 tablespoons lemon juice
06 - 4 packages (8 oz each, 900 g total) cream cheese, softened
07 - 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
08 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 cup (240 g) sour cream, room temperature
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
12 - 1 1/2 cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, diced small and patted dry

For serving

13 - Fresh strawberry slices, optional
14 - Fresh banana slices brushed with lemon juice, optional
15 - Whipped cream, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside with foil if the pan is prone to leaking.
02 - Mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and optional sugar until evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let cool while you make the filling.
03 - Mash the bananas with the lemon juice until mostly smooth. Dice the strawberries small and pat them dry so they do not water down the batter.
04 - Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time on low speed, mixing just until each egg disappears.
05 - Mix in the sour cream, vanilla, and flour on low speed. Fold in the mashed banana mixture and diced strawberries with a spatula.
06 - Pour the batter into the crust and smooth the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still wobbles gently.
07 - Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door closed for 1 hour. Move it to a rack and cool to room temperature.
08 - Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Add fresh fruit or whipped cream just before slicing and serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Best made one day ahead for the cleanest slices.
02 - Use room-temperature cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream for a smoother filling.
03 - Pat strawberries dry before adding them to prevent watery pockets.

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