Roasted Banana Macadamia Cheesecake

Ohhh, what a recipe!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 1 cheesecake

Ingredients

• 3  ripe unpeeled bananas
• 1 1⁄2 cups  vanilla wafer crumbs
• 1⁄2 cup  macadamia nuts, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 5  large eggs
• 1  tablespoon dark rum
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400° and set a rack on the lower-middle level.
2. Place bananas (unpeeled) on baking sheet.
3. Roast until they turn black all over, approx 12 minutes.
4. Remove them to cool and reduce oven to 350°.
5. For crust, combine cookie crumbs, nuts and brown sugar in food processor.
6. Pulse a few times to mix, then add melted butter and blend well.
7. Press mixture into the bottom only of a 10-inch springform pan.
8. Prepare filling: beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until smooth.
9. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
10. Add the roasted banana pulp, rum and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
11. Pour the mixture into crust and smooth top.
12. Place pan on baking sheet.
13. Bake about 1 hour, or until cheesecake is light golden on top and begins pulling away from pan.
14. Cool the cheesecake to room temperature on wire rack, then cover and chill overnight before serving.