No-Bake Banana Split Cake

March 20, 2017
No-Bake Banana Split Cake has all the fabulous flavors you'd expect from a scrumptiously melty banana split sundae, all in an easy to prepare no-bake dessert.  Complete with maraschino cherries on top of course, because it wouldn't be a banana split without a cherry on top!

Slice of No-Bake Banana Split Cake Image

To people who know me well, this confession will come as no surprise.  I am a choco-holic.

Yes, that's right.  I fully admit that I am a 100%-confirmed, no-denying-it choco-holic.  I have to have a bit of the stuff every day.  Every.  single.  day. ...  or I can tell I haven't.  And probably so can the people around me.

No-Bake Banana Split Cake has all the fabulous flavors you'd expect from a scrumptiously melty banana split sundae, all in an easy to prepare no-bake dessert.

So imagine my surprise when I found something that didn't  taste better with chocolate!  I mean, all things sweet {and even some savory} taste better with chocolate, right?

Wrong!

Because this No-Bake Banana Split Cake, in my humble opinion, decidedly does not  taste better with chocolate.  At least not with the kind of chocolate I tried, anyway.

Layered No-Bake Banana Split Cake Image

See, following my firm belief that everything's better with chocolate, I decided to try a piece of this Banana Split Cake with a big old drizzling of chocolate sauce on top.

Makes sense, right?  I mean when you order a banana split sundae, it comes with heaps of delicious chocolate sauce running in melting rivers down the sides of the sundae.

I thought it would make perfect sense then that chocolate sauce would be a deliciously-appropriate topping for No-Bake Banana Split Cake, too.  But I was mistaken.

Standing in for the ice cream, is essentially a layer of cream cheese frosting ~ cream cheese, softened butter, and confectioners' sugar whipped all together until fluffy and light.

When I added chocolate sauce, all it served to do was overpower the wonderful banana and pineapple flavors of this dessert.

It was like getting a big smack of chocolate in the mouth ... and missing out on all the other banana split flavors going on.

And so, I decided that this is one place where chocolate should stay away.  Which is a tough thing for a choco-holic like me to come to terms with.

But with it's creamy layers of cream cheese filling, crushed pineapple and bananas, and cherry-adorned whipped cream, I think I can figure out a way to bravely move on without my beloved chocolate.

Square of No-Bake Banana Split Cake On a Plate Image

No-Bake Banana Split Cake has all the fabulous flavors you'd expect from a scrumptiously melty banana split sundae.  And it truly couldn't be any easier to prepare.

It starts with a simple graham cracker crumb crust pressed into the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish.

Then, standing in for the ice cream, is essentially a layer of cream cheese frosting ~ cream cheese, softened butter, and confectioners' sugar whipped all together until fluffy and light.  

Next comes crushed pineapple and sliced bananas, which gets slathered with whipped cream, sprinkled with chopped pecans, and ... of course ... topped with maraschino cherries.

It wouldn't be a banana split without a cherry on top now, would it?

No-Bake Banana Split Cake Topped with Maraschino Cherries Image

Another time, I may just try a different form of chocolate ... perhaps some mini chocolate chips sprinkled in the filling or on top, I'm thinking.  Because I still feel that somehow chocolate's got to work in a banana split dessert.

But until I figure out the chocolate thing, believe me ... this No-Bake Banana Split Cake is one deliciously creamy non-chocolate dessert even this choco-holic can love!

Check out these other tasty banana treats:
Fork Taking a Bite of No-Bake Banana Split Cake Image
Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!


no bake dessert recipe, no bake banana split cake recipe, no bake banana split dessert, easy dessert recipe
Desserts
American
Yield: about 10-12 servings
How to Make No-Bake Banana Split Cakehttps://youtu.be/-T9Gsaj08p4Demonstration of how to make No-Bake Banana Split Cake
No-Bake Banana Split Cake

No-Bake Banana Split Cake

No-Bake Banana Split Cake has all the fabulous flavors you'd expect from a scrumptiously melty banana split sundae, all in an easy to prepare no-bake dessert. Complete with maraschino cherries on top of course, because it wouldn't be a banana split without a cherry on top!
Prep time: 25 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

  • 2 c. graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 2 c. confectioners' sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 4 bananas
  • 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, well drained
  • 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)
  • 1/3 c. chopped pecans
  • 1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, drained & patted dry with a paper towel

Instructions

  1. Melt 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) and blend in graham cracker crumbs with a fork until evenly moistened. Press into the bottom of a 9x13" pan.
  2. With an electric mixer, blend remaining 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter with cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and salt. Beat 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy. Spread mixture over graham cracker crumbs.
  3. Slice bananas and arrange evenly over cream cheese mixture; top with crushed pineapple. Spread Cool Whip on top of pineapple; sprinkle with chopped pecans and place cherries on top.
  4. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
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45 comments

  1. Why not drizzle Hershey's syrup over top of the cherries?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I talked about in the post that I tried ... the chocolate syrup was too overpowering and overshadowed the banana and pineapple flavors.

      Delete
  2. This looks and sounds delicious, my husband would love it, thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.

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  3. What a yummy treat! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again soon!
    Miz Helen

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  4. Hi, I wanted to tell everyone my 16 yr old son made the No Bake Banana Slit Cake for a church event last night. It was unbelievably delicious. almost everyone there wanted the recipe. It was eaten up and people were asking to take some home! He did cut back on the confectioner's sugar and it was perfect! Blessings to all!

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    Replies
    1. oh, I forgot to mention he won BEST DESSERT! :) <3

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    2. Yay!! Congratulations to your son!!! So glad you all enjoyed the No Bake Banana Split Cake. And thank you so much for stopping back by to share the news!

      Delete
  5. does it have to be unsalted butter ? thanks

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    Replies
    1. No, you can use salted butter if you'd like. The dessert will just taste saltier!

      Delete
  6. What could I use instead of cream cheese? Have some picky eaters that just won't tolerate that lol

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  7. Hi,
    I'm an italian foodblogger and I live in India.
    I give western cooking classes to under-priviliged women in social risk in an NGO.
    The goal is to help them to find a job in western families as haous keepers or cooks.
    I just wanted you to know that in today's class, I used your recipes and all my 12 students were enthusiastic with it. They really appreciated the recipe, and so did I.
    So...I brought a piece of you in New Delhi.
    Just wanted to thank you. :)

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  8. My Granny makes this with oreo crust and it is incredible! And it brings that chocolate flavor into it! :)

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  9. the banana split cake was wonderful thank you for the recipe

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  10. Grate just a bit of chocolate on top or sprinkle with a few chocolate curls

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  11. What a great dessert and special treat! Hope you have a fantastic weekend and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, I also want to make this for an event. Given that this dessert needs to be refrigerated for a while, will it be ok/not mushy after being at room temperature for a couple of hours?

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  13. What a wonderful treat! Your Banana Split Cake looks amazing, Tracey! Scheduled to pin. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul.

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  14. Oh I've just made this scrumptious dessert and I noticed by your picture you had the same problem as me there wasn't quite enough to completely full the pan, I too have a square in the corner missing ;) btw, I also added to the toppings coconut and semi sweet chocolate chips and it was great. I don't like regular chocolate syrup for the reason you mentioned so if it weren't so hot here right now I might have made some ganache but the chips are a good second. Thank you for this recipe. It's 1am here so no one else has seen it yet but I think it'll be a hit!! Yummy

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  15. Is the stick of butter melted, or softened, when it's blended into the cream cheese mixture?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's softened butter that's blended with the cream cheese. Enjoy!

      Delete
  16. I wonder if drizzling some chocolate sauce on the plate, THEN putting the piece on top would work. That way, there would just be a little bit of chocolate flavor and it would not be over powering. (And it would look extra pretty too!) Just a thought.

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  17. Have you tried a chocolate cookie crust ? That would incorporate the chocolate without over powering sweetness.

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    Replies
    1. We have not made it with a chocolate cookie crust; it sounds interesting. Tweaking or experimenting with recopies is a lot of fun for us. If you try it please let us know how it turns out.

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  18. This just looks so nice!!! I love that you added the cherries on top. I have pibbed this so I can have a go at making it myself

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  19. This is the recipe I grew up with and it spoils you for the versions made with pudding. Have a couple of birthdays coming up and will make this for one of them. Glad you posted this recipe.

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  20. Has anyone tried to freeze this dessert to be served later?

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    Replies
    1. We would recommend not freeze this desert. Freezing will effect the texture of the bananas; the will become soft and darken in color.

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  21. Looks awesome! Trying this for mother's day!

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  22. We sure enjoyed featuring your awesome post on Full Plate Thursday, 589. Thanks so much for sharing with us and sure hope you come back again!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  23. You could try using chocolate graham crackers for the chocolate component! 😉😁 I think I'm gonna try that, although I do like your suggestion for trying mini chocolate chips. 😏❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds good; please stop back by and let us know how it turns out.

      Delete
  24. Made it at the firehouse. We loved it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We love hearing that our readers enjoy the recipes. If you have time send us an e-mail of some of your favorites. thekitchenismyplayground@yahoo.com

      We may need to publish a firehouse favorites list.

      Thank you for your service.

      Delete
  25. Loved this recipe! As my husband and I are empty nesters, and don't want the whole cake a lot of the time, I make half the recipe in a pre-made pecan pie crust. Plenty for two of us, and it doesn't get soggy if we don't eat it fast enough.

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    Replies
    1. We are so glad you and your husband enjoy! Thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  26. I like to put fudge ice cream topping in a ziplock bag and drizzle it over the top. It’s pretty and adds just enough chocolate flavor. Yum!

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  27. I made the '' Banana Split cake '' (2 ) for my grandsons Graduation party.. Trust me when i tell you , those kids loved it. There was none left after the party. Plus a couple of parents wanted the recipe.

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  28. Do I bake the crust before adding in the other ingredients? Seems like I should to get a bit of a crunchy "crust".

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    Replies
    1. Hi, the crust is not baked; it is only pressed. We hope you enjoy the cake!

      Delete
  29. This absolutely one of my favorite go-to desserts for any Church dinner. It can be made with a sugar substitute for diabetics as well. It is very rich and oh soooo good.

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