Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan and line the bottom with a circle of waxed paper.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, melted butter, and ¾ teaspoon banana extract in a bowl until mixture holds together; press into the bottom of the prepared cake pan, using a second 8-inch cake pan to press crust firmly into pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until crust is lightly browned, about 8 minutes; set aside to cool.
- Pour about 1 inch water into the bottom of a double boiler; bring to a boil. Place peanut butter chips and half-and-half in the top of the double boiler; set over bottom of the boiler (boiling water shouldn’t touch top boiler). Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth; set aside to cool.
- Place cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until smooth. Increase speed to medium; beat in ½ cup sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Beat in bananas, lemon juice, remaining ½ teaspoon banana extract, and vanilla extract, stopping occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl. Beat in the peanut butter chip mixture until smooth and even; pour into the crust.
- Place cheesecake in a large baking pan; add enough hot water to come most of the way up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until filling is set, about 1 hour. Turn the oven off, open the door, and let the cheesecake cool slowly in the oven for 1 hour.
Run a knife around the cheesecake’s edge, then invert the pan onto a wire rack. Place a dish towel on the bottom of the pan and warm it by rubbing the towel with a hot water-filled tea kettle. Slowly remove the pan. Place a serving platter on top, then use the wire rack to flip the cheesecake onto the platter. Refrigerate for 8 hours.
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 ¼ teaspoons banana extract, divided
1 cup peanut butter chips
¼ cup half-and-half
3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, atroom temperature
½ cup white sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Enjoy baking your own Banana Peanut Butter Cheesecake, aka “The Elvis,” or visit The Denny House and treat yourself to a slice of this delicious dessert!
Thursday, September 3rd: Enjoy Devon Cowell as Johnny Cash.
Friday, September 4th: Experience Devon Cowell as Elvis
Come for the music, stay for the cheesecake—and enjoy a sweet taste of Elvis at The Denny House!
