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This No Bake Banana Split Dessert starts with a graham cracker crust, topped with a creamy layer bananas, pineapple, strawberries, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate & a cherry on top! been a family favorite for years. A delicious ice box cake that is an easy summertime treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Today’s recipes is another one of those oldies but goodies. I have had it in my recipe file for over 30 years and it originally belonged to my mother. It is on a nice little type written 3 x 5 index card in my collection of recipes. I remember spending hours on my typewriter typing out all my recipes!
One of the best things about this dessert, other than it is delicious, is that it is no bake! No oven or stovetop required so it’s perfect for summer, especially on a 95 degree day like it is in Portland today and your air conditioner is broken. Yes, that would be me!
What is an Icebox Cake?
There are lots of different variations of an icebox cake but it is traditionally made with either chocolate wafers or graham crackers. I used graham crackers for this one but it would also be delicious with chocolate wafers. There is also a layer of whipped cream (I used Cool Whip) and pudding. It is kept in the refrigerator overnight which helps the crust to soften up and allowing it to be sliced easily. The Americanized version often has bananas and or pineapple in between the layers. I used both and added in some strawberries!
Ingredients Needed
- Butter
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Eggs
- Powdered sugar
- Fruit. Bananas, strawberries and crushed pineapple.
- Cool Whip. Could also substitute with sweetened whipped cream.
- Chocolate syrup. To drizzle on top.
Note: The original recipe uses raw eggs. If you prefer not to use raw eggs you will also need cream cheese and twice the amount of Cool Whip (see recipe card below)
How to Make Banana Split Dessert Recipe
Crust Layer
- Mix together 1/2 C butter melted and 1 C graham cracker crumbs
- Press into bottom of 9 x 12 pan.
Cream Layer
- Mix together eggs, 1 C butter and powdered sugar and beat for 15 minutes (this is important!).
- Note: This is the original recipe which is over 40 years old. If you want to avoid the raw eggs do this:
- Beat together 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, 12 cup sugar and 8 oz. of Cool Whip.
Fruit Layer
- Top cream layer with sliced bananas, strawberries and drained crushed pineapple.
- Spread Cool Whip or sweetened whipped cream over top of fruit. Cool Whip will hold up better if you are making the dessert ahead of time.
- Garnish top with more sliced strawberries and drizzle it with chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce. A banana split must have chocolate! If you are a nut fan go ahead and add some chopped walnuts or pecans to the top too. You can even add a maraschino cherry if you like!
How to Substitute Homemade Whipped Cream for Cool Whip
- Pour 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream into chilled mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until it begins to thicken.
- Add in 1/3 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Continue beating on medium speed until cream thickens and soft peaks form.
Then all you have to do is slice and serve.  Be sure to keep it refrigerated until you are ready to eat it! Banana Split Dessert is definitely a crowd pleaser and the perfect for a hot summer day when the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. It’s a great potluck dish and perfect for a neighborhood BBQ. This dessert got a lot of oohs and aahs at the last party I took it too!!
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an old recipe, it was my mom’s is over 40 years old. Raw eggs in a “vintage” recipe is not unusual. If you prefer not to consume raw eggs here is an alternative.
Replace the cream layer with this:
Beat together 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and 8 oz. of Cool Whip. (Use this in place of the eggs, powdered sugar and butter.)
If using Cool Whip, you make it the day ahead. Leftovers will last for 2-3 days refrigerated. If using fresh whipped cream it should be made the day it is to be served as the whipping cream breaks down and doesn’t hold up well.
For other yummy desserts, try these:
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No Bake Banana Split Dessert
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 bananas sliced
- 1 1/2 pints strawberries sliced
- 12 oz. Cool Whip
- 20 oz. crushed pineapple drained
- chocolate syrup to drizzle
- If not using raw eggs you will also need:
- 12 oz. cream cheese
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz. Cool Whip in addition to Cool Whip above.
Instructions
- Note: If raw eggs are a concern for you they can be left out of the second layer.
Layer One:
- Mix together 1/2 C butter melted and 1 C graham cracker crumbs
- Press into bottom of 9 x 12 pan.
Second Layer:
- Mix together eggs, 1 C butter and powdered sugar and beat for 15 minutes (this is important!)
- Spread over graham cracker layer
Second Layer Option:
- In a medium bowl, mix together 12 oz, cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the 8 oz. Cool Whip until thoroughly combined.
Third Layer:
- Slice bananas and cover over second layer
Fourth Layer:
- Cover over bananas with 1 pint sliced strawberries
Fifth Layer:
- Cover with pineapple
Sixth Layer:
- Cover with Cool Whip
Seventh Layer:
- Sprinkle with remaining strawberries and drizzle with chocolate syrup
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
Originally posted July 2, 2014
Cat says
Think a chocolate wafer crust would work for Banana Split dessert?
Carol Kane says
This looks scrumptious. I can’t wait to make it. And it’s mostly fruit, so no calories, right? LOL
Leigh Anne says
Carol, Exactly!!
Barbara says
Hi LeeAnn,
Would real whipped cream work instead of Cool Whip? I’d like to go as unprocessed as possible. Sounds fabulous. Totally going to serve this for the 4th of July holiday week! You are wonderful! I love your blog.
Thank you,
Barb Sasse
Leigh Anne says
I am sure that would work fine. It may not hold up quite as well as the Cool Whip though. Glad you enjoy the blog!
Colette says
I have been making this desert for a long time but some how I lost it a year ago I am so happy to have found it again. I don’t use strawberries instead I use cherries on top and drizzle chocolate syrup. Thank You
Leigh Anne says
So glad you found the recipe!