Description
Sweet banana split cake brings nostalgic summer dessert magic to your table without turning on the oven. Cool layers of creamy goodness and fresh fruit create a delightful no-fuss treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
cake base:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
cream layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
topping layer:
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan to create a uniform, compact base.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust, ensuring a consistent layer across the entire surface.
- Arrange sliced bananas in a neat, overlapping pattern across the cream cheese layer, creating complete coverage.
- Carefully distribute drained crushed pineapple over the banana layer, allowing the fruit to settle naturally.
- Generously dollop whipped cream across the top, using a spatula to create soft, billowing peaks that cover the entire dessert.
- Sprinkle chopped maraschino cherries and nuts (if using) over the whipped cream, providing color and textural contrast.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup and caramel sauce in elegant, crisscrossing patterns across the surface of the dessert.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow layers to set and flavors to meld together, ensuring a perfectly chilled and cohesive dessert.
Notes
- Choose ripe, slightly soft bananas for the best flavor and easy slicing without browning quickly.
- Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the crust soggy and compromising the dessert’s texture.
- Toast nuts like pecans or almonds briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add an extra crunch to the dessert.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with ground gluten-free cookies or almond meal to maintain the base’s structure and taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg