Banana Nut Cheesecake

Crust prepared from melted margarine and crushed chocolate wafer cookies. Crust mixture is pressed into cheesecake pan. Filling of cream cheese, sugar, banana, eggs, and chopped walnuts is prepared and poured over crust. Cheesecake is baked to brown crust and set filling; drizzled with chocolate glaze.

Ingredients -

1 cup Chocolate Wafer Crumbs
1/4 cup Margarine, melted

16 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup mashed Ripe Bananas
2 each Large Eggs
1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

1 tablespoon Margarine
1/3 cup Milk Chocolate Chips
2 tablespoons Water

Preparation:

1. Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

2. Bake in preheated 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes.

3. Combine cream cheese, sugar and banana, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.

4. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

5. Stir in walnuts, pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes.

6. Loosen cake from rim; cool before removing rim of pan.

7. Melt chocolate pieces and margarine with water over low heat, stirring until smooth.

8. Drizzle over cheesecake. Chill for 24 hours or more.

Cheesecake Making Tips -

Soften Cream Cheese in the Microwave

Microwave cream cheese for 15-20 seconds on high to bring it to room temperature and the right consistency to begin easily mixing with other ingredients.

Cheesecake Making Tips -

Walnuts

Walnuts are grown around the world, especially in Asia. France is known for producing very high quality walnuts. The exterior color of the walnut shell can indicate quality. The lighter the shell of the walnut is the higher the quality.