Description
This Banana Mousse Tart is a luscious and creamy dessert featuring a crunchy vanilla wafer crust filled with a light and fluffy banana mousse. With ripe bananas, cream cheese, and whipped cream, this no-bake tart delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and smooth texture, ideal for an elegant treat or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Mousse Filling
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Topping (Optional)
- Sliced bananas for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. In a bowl, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter, mixing until evenly combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Mash the bananas: In a small bowl, mash the ripe bananas with the fresh lemon juice until smooth to prevent browning, then set aside.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
- Combine banana and cream cheese mixtures: Beat the mashed bananas into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well integrated.
- Whip the cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy whipping cream with the 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into banana mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the banana and cream cheese mixture to create a light, fluffy mousse.
- Assemble the tart: Spoon the banana mousse into the cooled crust and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Chill the tart: Refrigerate the tart for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, optionally garnish with sliced bananas. To prevent browning, lightly brush banana slices with lemon juice.
Notes
- For extra banana flavor, use very ripe bananas with brown spots.
- To prevent banana topping from browning, lightly brush slices with lemon juice.
