I have always had a soft spot for desserts, especially those that bring back memories of my childhood. And the Banana Split Dessert is one such indulgence that never fails to transport me back to those blissful summer holidays. This dessert is a classic favorite, beloved for its perfect balance of textures and flavors. It is a harmonious blend of crunchy graham crackers, creamy whipped cream, and the sweet and tangy combination of bananas and pineapple, all topped with a delightful sprinkle of nuts and a cherry. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the best part is that it can be made ahead of time, making it the perfect dessert for parties and gatherings. I love it because it’s a crowd-pleaser, and it never lasts long on the dessert table. So, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s sure to impress, look no further. This Banana Split Dessert recipe is it!
Ingredients
- 2 c. crushed graham crackers
- 2 c. powdered sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 large can crushed pineapple
- 1/4 c. crushed nuts
- butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- firm bananas
- 2 c. whipped cream
- maraschino cherries
Assembly Steps
- Combine cracker crumbs and 6 tablespoons melted butter, mixing well.
- Press crumb mixture into bottoms of a 13 x 9-inch pan. Combine 1/2 cup butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs.
- Beat until fluffy.
- Spread sugar mixture over crumb layer.
- Slice bananas lengthwise.
- Arrange over sugar mixture.
- Spoon pineapple over bananas.
- Cover pineapple layer with whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with nuts.
- Garnish with cherries.
- Chill for 6 hours before serving.
Calorie: 400
Total cooking time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Banana Split Saga
So there I was, standing in my kitchen with a bunch of ingredients scattered on the counter: graham crackers, powdered sugar, eggs, pineapple, nuts, butter, vanilla extract, bananas, whipped cream, maraschino cherries… I took a deep breath. I was about to embark on a culinary mission of epic proportions: The Banana Split Dessert.
The Graham Cracker Groundwork
First things first, I had to create the base. I took 2 cups of crushed graham crackers and mixed them with 6 tablespoons of melted butter. The combination looked a bit like wet sand after a rainstorm, and I had to resist the urge to start building a sandcastle right there in my kitchen. But I persevered and pressed the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan, creating a crust as firm as my resolve.
The Sugar-Coating Situation
Next was the sweet, sweet layer of sugar. I combined 1/2 cup of butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. I added 2 lightly beaten eggs, and then beat the whole thing until fluffy. Beating eggs into a butter-sugar mixture felt a bit like trying to mix oil with water, but I just kept whisking, and before I knew it, I was spreading a fluffy cloud of sweetness over my graham cracker crust.
The Banana Balance Beam
Then came the bananas. Slicing bananas lengthwise is like trying to balance on a thin line; one wrong move and you’ve got a mushy mess. But with surgical precision, I managed to get those bananas sliced and arranged over the sugar mixture. A moment of silence for the banana that didn’t survive the surgery.
The Pineapple Parade
Up next, the pineapple. I had a large can of crushed pineapple that I spooned over the bananas. It was like the bananas were getting a tropical shower, and I couldn’t help but hum the tune of a Hawaiian luau song.
The Whipped Cream Wonderland
The next layer was a whipped cream wonderland. Covering the pineapple layer with 2 cups of whipped cream was like blanketing a baby with a soft, fluffy quilt. It was looking more and more like a dessert and less like a science experiment gone wrong.
The Nutty Notion and Cherry on Top
I sprinkled 1/4 cup of crushed nuts over the whipped cream. Nuts on a dessert are like confetti at a party, they just make everything better. And for the grand finale, I garnished with maraschino cherries. Each cherry was like a red little top hat, making my dessert look like a crowd of tiny, dapper gentlemen.
The Chilling Chapter
All that was left was to chill the dessert for 6 hours before serving. Waiting for the dessert to set was like waiting for paint to dry, but with the added torture of knowing that there was a delicious treat waiting on the other side. But I survived, and after what seemed like an eternity (it was only 6 hours, but who’s counting?), it was finally time to dig in.
The Sweet Success
The first bite was a symphony of flavors, each layer playing its part in the harmony. Who knew that graham crackers, powdered sugar, eggs, pineapple, nuts, butter, vanilla extract, bananas, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries could come together to create such a masterpiece? It was a triumphant end to a day filled with laughter, a few mishaps, and a lot of fun.
And that, my friends, is the tale of my Banana Split Dessert. From graham cracker groundwork to the sweet success, it was a journey filled with joy, jubilation, and just a dash of jest!
