BANANA SPLIT CHEESECAKE BARS

Banana Split Cheesecake Bars image

Provided by Shelia Tucker

Number Of Ingredients 21

for the brownie crust
12 oz semisweet chocolate bits
3/4 c unsalted butter ( 1 1/2 sticks )
2/3 c sugar
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
FOR THE CHEESECAKE LAYER
2 pkg cream cheese (8 oz. each ) room temperature
3 ripe, bananas
1/2 c sugar
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
a pinch of salt
3 eggs
FOR THE TOPPING
1/2 c maraschino cherries ( chopped )
1/2 c salted peanuts ( finely chopped or ground )
1 qt strawberries ( cleaned, hulled and sliced )
1/4 c pineapple jam
1 Tbsp water

Steps:

1. Pre-Heat Oven to 350 - A 9x 13 Pan- Sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside pan - In a microwave safe bowl , heat the butter and chocolate bits on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds untill melted. Set Aside - In a Medium Bowl, Whisk togeather, the sugar, flour and salt, add the eggs and vanilla and whisk till smooth, stir in the melted butter, chocolate mixture. pour into the pre-pared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the Pan from Oven ( Leave The Oven On ) If there are any air bubbles in the crust, gently press them flat.
2. To Make Cheesecake - In a food processor - combine the cream cheese, bananas, sugar, flour, and salt. untill completely smooth, scraping down sides of pro. bowl, - then add the eggs, one at a time, processing and scraping down the sides of the bowl between additions.. Pour the batter over the top of the crust in the pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes untill the middle is no longer jiggley, Cool Down and refrigerate untill completely chilled.
3. When cheesecake is chilled , Place Strawberries across top. In a Microwavable bowl, put the Pineapple jam and the 1 Tabsp. of water. - Microwave untill Bubbling, spoon the jam all over the top of the strawberries, then sprinkle the chopped nuts on and then the chopped cherries , Place back in the Frig. to chill for at least 15 minutes for the jam to set . - Make sure it's well chilled and then cut into squares . Store well , covered in the refrigerator .