Quick answer: split a ripe banana lengthwise and lay the halves in a long dish. Add one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, spoon pineapple, chocolate sauce and strawberry sauce over them, and finish with whipped cream, chopped nuts and three cherries.
Classic banana split (1 serving)
- 1 ripe but firm banana
- 1 scoop each vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream
- 2 tbsp each crushed pineapple, chocolate sauce and strawberry sauce
- Whipped cream
- Chopped peanuts or walnuts
- 3 maraschino cherries
The whipped cream
Three rosettes, one on each scoop, is the soda-fountain look. Pipe whipped cream from a bag with a star tip, or use a whipped cream dispenser; see canned whipped cream vs a dispenser.
Banana split bar for a party
- Set out bananas, three ice creams kept on ice, and bowls of sauces and toppings.
- Sauces: hot fudge or chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, pineapple.
- Toppings: nuts, sprinkles, cherries, crushed cookies, toasted coconut.
- More set-up tips: sundae bar ideas.
No-bake banana split cake (9 x 13 inch pan)
- Mix 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs with ½ cup of melted butter and press into the pan. Chill.
- Beat 8 oz of cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar, fold in 1 cup of whipped cream and spread over the crust.
- Layer 3-4 sliced bananas, a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple (well drained) and 2 cups of sliced strawberries.
- Cover with 2 cups of cold heavy cream whipped with ¼ cup of powdered sugar (or stabilized whipped cream if making ahead).
- Chill for 4 hours. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with nuts and cherries before serving.
Related: ice cream floats, milkshakes and desserts with whipped cream.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a classic banana split?
A banana split lengthwise, with scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, pineapple, chocolate and strawberry toppings, whipped cream, chopped nuts and cherries.
What is the best dish for a banana split?
A long, shallow boat dish. Any shallow oval bowl works.
How do I stop the bananas browning on a banana split bar?
Cut them at the last minute, or brush the cut sides with a little lemon or pineapple juice.
What is banana split cake?
A no-bake layered dessert: a graham cracker crust, a cream cheese layer, sliced bananas, pineapple, strawberries and whipped cream, finished with chocolate sauce, nuts and cherries.
