Banana-Peanut Cheesecake

Ingredients

Cheesecake

• 3 cups ground Oreo cookie crumbs, minus filling
• 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/4 pounds cream cheese, softened
• 5 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup very ripe banana puree
• 1 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

Peanut Butter Sauce

• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup ground unsalted peanuts
  

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Cheesecake: In a medium-size bowl, combine cookie crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and melted butter until thoroughly blended.
3. Cover the bottom and approximately 1 inch of the sides of a greased 1-inch springform pan. Set aside.
4. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
5. Add remaining 1 3/4 cups sugar and continue mixing, scraping bowl often.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well incorporated.
7. Beat in vanilla extract.
8. Fold in banana puree and chopped peanuts.
9. Pour into prepared crust and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is set.
10. Cool on wire rack; refrigerate 24 hours before serving.
11. When ready to serve, place a small slice on each chilled serving plate and drizzle with Peanut Butter Sauce.
12. Peanut Butter Sauce: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, over low heat for about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
13. Cool to room temperature before using.