Roasted Banana Macadamia Cheesecake - cooking recipe

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

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400\u00b0 and set a rack on the lower-middle level.
Place bananas (unpeeled) on baking sheet.
Roast until they turn black all over, approx 12 minutes.
Remove them to cool and reduce oven to 350\u00b0.
For crust, combine cookie crumbs, nuts and brown sugar in food processor.
Pulse a few times to mix, then add melted butter and blend well.
Press mixture into the bottom only of a 10-inch springform pan.
Prepare filling: beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until smooth.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the roasted banana pulp, rum and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
Pour the mixture into crust and smooth top.
Place pan on baking sheet.
Bake about 1 hour, or until cheesecake is light golden on top and begins pulling away from pan.
Cool the cheesecake to room temperature on wire rack, then cover and chill overnight before serving.