Banana Split Dessert

A layered dessert recipe with the classic elements of a banana split including pineapple, strawberries, chocolate syrup and nuts with a decadent cream cheese filling and graham cracker crust.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. JUMP TO THE RECIPE
2. LAYERS IN BANANA SPLIT DESSERT
3. A FEW NOTES WORTH READING

The banana split is a magical thing. It’s a perfect example of when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Like a cheeseburger.

Bear with me... there is a point here.

I'll get back to the banana split in a second but talking about cheeseburgers will help me explain what I mean about the whole being greater than the sum.

On their own, the components of a classic cheeseburger are nothing to get too excited about. Many of them you'd likely not eat on their own. I, for one, have no interest in eating a bowl of onions or a spoonful of mustard.

But when you put all those elements together in one burger, they work together to create something incredible. The salty dill pickle slices and acidic mustard cut through the richness of the meat. The fresh, crisp lettuce and onion and bright tomatoes meld with the mayo to create a sort of salad that sits on top of the charred beef and gooey cheese. It's a culinary masterpiece!

The same is true for the banana spit. There's nothing riveting about the individual components. Plain or mildly flavored ice cream, common fruit, nuts, a little chocolate syrup... meh, on their own, none of those things would entice you drive across town for a taste.

But put them all together??  Yes ma'am, you put all those things together in one glorious serving and you've got a culinary perfect storm!'

Since assembling banana splits for a crowd could be a little daunting (and messy), this dessert a way to pack all those spectacular flavors into one gorgeous dessert!

This is ALWAYS a hit at any "covered dish" event. Whether it's a family reunion, church fellowship, backyard barbeque, work Christmas party or anything in between, Banana Split Dessert is a great choice!

It travels beautifully, it's easy to serve, the portions are easy to change (just add more cherries to establish more servings - draw a grid in the whipped topping with a cherry in the center of each to suggest the portion size).

LAYERS IN BANANA SPLIT DESSERT

The only difference in elements of a banana split and this banana split dessert is we're substituting a no-bake cream cheese filling for the ice cream and adding a simple graham cracker crust on the bottom.

• Graham cracker crust
• Cream cheese filling
• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Crushed pineapple
• Chocolate syrup
• Nuts
• Cool Whip
• Cherries

NOTES ON MAKING BANANA SPLIT DESSERT

Any chopped nuts will work with this. I like roasted peanuts or pecans best!

I like to use pineapple in heavy syrup but any type is fine.

Be SURE to drain the pineapple very well. Sometimes I pour mine into a colander and let it sit overnight in the fridge.

This can also be made into two prepared graham cracker pie crusts instead of making a 13x9 crust.

Do not use powdered sugar in the filling. The regular sugar will dissolve just fine into the cream cheese and makes a silkier, more spreadable mixture.

This can be made the night before but it will need to be served within 24 hours of making it. The moisture from the fruit will make the layers separate if left to set too long.

Recipe for How to Cook Banana Split Dessert

banana split, dessert, cheesecake, no-bake, layered, cream cheese, cherries, chocolate syrup, pineapples, strawberries, how to, best, classic, recipe, easy

dessert

american

Yield: 15 Servings

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Banana Split Dessert

A layered dessert recipe with the classic elements of a banana split including pineapple, strawberries, chocolate syrup and nuts with a decadent cream cheese filling and graham cracker crust.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 2 8-oz packs cream cheese, softened to room temp
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Cool Whip (from 16-oz tub below)
• 1 cup sugar

Toppings:

• 3 bananas, sliced
• 1 20-oz can crushed pineapple, drained VERY well
• 2 pints strawberries, sliced
• 1 16-oz tub Cool Whip, divided
• Chopped nuts
• Chocolate syrup (such as Hershey's)
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set Cool Whip to thaw if frozen.
2. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar and salt then press into the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Cream Cheese Filling:

1. Whip cream cheese, vanilla extract and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Fold in 1 cup Cool Whip (from 16-oz tub). Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over graham cracker crust.

Toppings:

1. Arrange banana slices in a single layer over cream cheese mixture. Top bananas evenly with crushed pineapple. Arrange strawberry slices in a single layer over pineapple.
2. Spread remaining cool whip over dessert. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
3. To serve, sprinkle with nuts, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with cherries.

Notes

• Any chopped nuts will work with this. I like roasted peanuts or pecans best!
• I like to use pineapple in heavy syrup but any type is fine.
• Be SURE to drain the pineapple very well. Sometimes I pour mine into a colander and let it sit overnight in the fridge.
• This can also be made into two prepared graham cracker pie crusts instead of making a 13x9 crust.
• Do not use powdered sugar in the filling. The regular sugar will dissolve just fine into the cream cheese and makes a silkier, more spreadable mixture.
• This can be made the night before but it will need to be served within 24 hours of making it. The moisture from the fruit will make the layers separate if left to set too long.

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2014/06/banana-split-dessert.html

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