This Caramelized Banana Cheesecake with Rum Glaze combines the rich creaminess of traditional cheesecake with the deep, sweet flavor of caramelized bananas and a warm kick of rum. A buttery graham cracker crust serves as the perfect base for the silky banana cheesecake, finished with a glossy rum glaze that adds a touch of indulgence. Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or when you want to treat yourself to something unforgettable.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 1 hour 15 min |
| Cooling Time | 1 hour |
| Chill Time | 4+ hours |
| Total Time | ~6-7 hours |
🔧 Equipment Needed
- 9-inch springform pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Food processor or rolling pin (for crust)
🛒 Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Caramelized Bananas:
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp dark rum (optional)
Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Caramelized bananas (from above), mashed
Rum Glaze:
- ¼ cup dark rum
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
🍌 Ingredient Notes
- Bananas: Use ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat works best for a creamy texture.
- Rum: Adds depth to both the banana caramel and glaze. Can be left out or substituted with a tsp of vanilla + water.
- Crust: Graham crackers can be swapped for vanilla wafers or crushed Biscoff cookies for added spice.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Press mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the springform pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
2. Caramelize the Bananas:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add brown sugar and stir until bubbling.
- Add sliced bananas and cook 3–4 minutes until softened and golden.
- Stir in rum (careful — it may flame briefly).
- Let cool, then mash and set aside.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar and mix until combined.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add sour cream, vanilla, salt, and mashed caramelized bananas. Mix until smooth.
4. Bake the Cheesecake:
- Pour filling into cooled crust.
- Wrap pan in foil and place in a larger baking dish filled with hot water (water bath).
- Bake for 60–70 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off oven, crack door, and let cheesecake cool for 1 hour inside.
- Remove, cool fully on a rack, then chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Make the Rum Glaze:
- In a saucepan, combine rum, brown sugar, and butter.
- Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt.
- Cool slightly, then pour over chilled cheesecake before serving.
🥄 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per slice, 12 slices)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Fat | 32g |
| Saturated Fat | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Sugar | 32g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 250mg |
Values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.
💡 Tips & Variations
Tips:
- Water Bath Tip: Prevent cracks by using a water bath and not overbaking.
- Room Temp Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are room temperature for a smooth batter.
- No-Rum Version: Replace rum with banana liqueur, or simply omit and use extra vanilla.
Variations:
- Bourbon Glaze: Swap rum for bourbon for a smoky flavor.
- Nut Crust: Add crushed pecans or walnuts to the crust for crunch.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle dark chocolate over the glaze for a banana-split vibe.
- Mini Cheesecakes: Bake in muffin tins with liners for individual servings (reduce baking time to ~25 minutes).
