Bananas Foster Cheesecake, anyone?

[lorilei]

OK, I give up. There's something missing in the recipe I've been trying to create, and I can't figure out what it is.

Does anyone know of a recipe for bananas foster cheesecake? or something equally as yummy?

I'd like to serve this (or some other yummy tropical pleasure) at my island dinner party next week -- and right about now, I'd welcome any suggestions you might have!

tanx in advance!

[Deanna]

In the past I made a Tropical Cheesecake that had banana liquer in the cheesecake and sliced tropical fruits decorating the top.

If you are interested, I'll see if I can find it. No promises, though...I haven't made it in a LONG time. But it was TRULY wonderful! Rave reviews from my co-workers.

[Shirley Panek]

This one was on www.epicurious.com, and 88% said they'd make it again.

Hope it helps.

BANANAS FOSTER CHEESECAKE
This cool indulgence is actually made with light cream cheese and low-fat sour cream. Begin preparing it the day before your party.

Crust
3/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Filling
2 8-ounce packages Neufchâtel cheese (reduced-fat cream cheese),
room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 large eggs
2 cups puréed bananas (from about 4 bananas)
1 cup low-fat sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt


Topping
1 cup low-fat sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract


1 17-ounce jar caramel sauce
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 bananas, peeled, sliced

For Crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside of 9-inch diameter springform pan with 3-inch -high sides with heavy-duty foil. Combine flour, pecans, butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Mix well. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.

For Filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in cornstarch. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until just blended after each addition. Add puréed banana, sour cream, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Beat just until combined.

Transfer filling to crust-lined pan. Place pan in large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake until center of cake is just set, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove cake from oven. Maintain oven temperature.


Meanwhile, Prepare Topping:
Mix together sour cream, sugar and vanilla in small bowl until well blended.

Spread topping over cheesecake. Bake until topping is set, about 10 minutes. Turn off oven. Let cake stand in oven until cooled to room temperature, about 2 hours. Refrigerate cake until well chilled. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Cut around cake to loosen; remove pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Warm caramel sauce in small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Mix in rum. Drizzle some sauce decoratively over cake. Arrange bananas top cake.

Cut cake into wedges. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

Serves 10.


Bon Appétit
July 1996

[lorilei]

Thank you!

I just had the most delectable "N'Awlins" version of bananas foster cheesecake at a Milwaukee restaurant last weekend, and I'm dying for something similar. It was a very short, rich cheesecake (very heavy) served with rum sauce -- and I'm dying to duplicate it.

I'll have to try out the Epicurious version and see how it turns out... serves me right for not checking them first, doesn't it?

[Gail]

Don't know if you had your party yet or not, but the July issue of Bon Appétit has a really interesting recipe for Tropical Bananas Foster with mango nectar, crystallized ginger, nutmeg, pineapple, mango, toasted coconut, rum, butter, brown sugar and of course bananas! I think I'll make it.

[lorilei]

Gail -
Actually, I didn't have my party yet -- it's coming up this next weekend. So, I'll have to check out that new edition of Bon Appetit. Sounds scrumptious.

Thanx for the tip!