Caramel Banana Pudding Cheesecake with Salted Cashew Praline - Vanilla Wafer Crust

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups

vanilla wafer crumbs

1 stick

butter, melted and browned

2 tbsp

light brown sugar

1 cup

cashew praline, chopped finely (recipe follows)

1 cup

sugar

1 tbsp

butter

1/2 cup

salted cashew nuts. Toast them for added flavor, if desired

packages of cream cheese, 8 oz each (total of 24 oz) room temperature

1 cup

sugar

large eggs

1/2 cup

heavy cream

1/2 cup

sour cream

1 tbsp

lemon juice

1 tbsp

vanilla extract (or the innards of 1 plump vanilla bean)

1 tbsp

banana liqueur, optional - I didn't use any, just giving you an option to enhance the banana flavor

Caramelized bananas (recipe below)

1/2 cup

sugar

1 tbsp

corn syrup

to 3 bananas, cut into chunks

1 tbsp

unsalted butter