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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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No Bake Banana Split Dessert

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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.

slice of no bake banana split dessert

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!

Banana Split Dessert on a plate

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

Banana Split Dessert in a 9 x 13
  • 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!
No Bake Icebox cake with strawberries

How to Substitute Homemade Whipped Cream for Cool Whip

  1. Pour 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream into chilled mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until it begins to thicken.
  2. 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!!

Piece of ice box cake

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t want to use raw eggs?

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.)

How far ahead can I make Banana Split Dessert?

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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5 from 3 votes
No bake banana split cake with chocolate syrup

No Bake Banana Split Dessert

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This No Bake Banana Split Dessert has been a family favorite for years – such an easy and delicious summer time treat.

serves: 12 servings
Prep:30 minutes
Total:30 minutes

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:

You can use sweetened whipped cream instead of the Cool Whip if you prefer.  If using whipped cream, leftovers will not last in the refrigerator as the whipped cream will break down.  If using Cool Whip, it will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 367kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 37g (12%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 25g (38%) Saturated Fat: 15g (94%) Cholesterol: 88mg (29%) Sodium: 260mg (11%) Potassium: 223mg (6%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 28g (31%) Vitamin A: 775IU (16%) Vitamin C: 37mg (45%) Calcium: 27mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
No bake banana split cake with chocolate syrup
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Originally posted July 2, 2014

 

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  1. Jeanne says

    How do you keep coming up with more yummy combinations! I was just unpacking banana split dishes my mother came me years ago. I’ll have to give this a try.

    Reply

  3. Lisa says

    I’m a little confused with your recipe as to the ingredients. You list the ingredients as 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 cup of butter, then you say to use 1 cup of butter with the graham crackers and then 1 cup of butter is used with the powdered sugar. I just don’t want to use to much butter if it’s not needed. Thank you.

    Reply