No Bake Banana Split Cake

This dessert offers up all the yummy flavors of your favorite banana split in an easy no-bake recipe. It’s a sweet, layered dessert that starts with a chilled graham cracker crust, followed by a light and creamy custard filling, a layer of crushed pineapple and all topped with a fluffy layer of Cool Whip. And you know it wouldn’t be a banana split dessert if it didn’t have a drizzle of hot fudge, a sprinkling of nuts and, of course, a cherry on top.

How to Make A No Bake Banana Split Cake

Gather the simple ingredients to make this easy no bake layered dessert.

Graham Cracker Crust

1. It only takes 4 ingredients to this simple crust – crushed graham crackers (these can be gluten-free), sugar, butter and a pinch of salt.
2. Mix together well.

3. Press gently into a 9x13-inch pan. Note: If you press it down too firmly it will be difficult to cut and lift from the pan when serving.

At this point, the crust can be frozen for about 10-15 minutes or can be baked for a bit crunchier texture for 10 minutes at 350 then allowed to cool.

Custard Layer

1. Combine the room temperature butter with sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Make sure the butter has softened sufficiently for a smooth mixture, about an hour on the counter will do the job.
2. Whip until light and fluffy about 3-4 minutes at medium speed. The mixture should be pale yellow in color.

Note: When opting for the butter in this recipe, make sure to pick a rich creamy butter like Minerva Dairy Sea Salt Butter. Since butter is what makes this custard layer so unbelievably tasty you want to use the best. Minerva Diary’s butter is a slow-churn, small-batch butter that has 85% butterfat, making it one of the smoothest, richest butters around.

To assemble

1. Remove the crust from the freezer or use the cooled crust from the oven.
2. Spread the custard evenly over the graham cracker crust.

3. The next layer are the sliced bananas. You want to use ripe but still firm bananas. Make sure to cover the custard completely.

4. Cover the bananas with the drained crushed pineapple. Spread evenly. This layer actually helps to prevent the bananas from browning (at least for a while).

5. Spread the Cool Whip over the crushed pineapple to create a smooth top.

6. Time to decorate! Sprinkle on the chopped nuts. I like to use pecans but walnuts or even peanuts would be great.

7. Next comes the fudge sauce drizzle. Make it easy by heating the fudge sauce slightly then pouring it into a small ziploc bag. Clip a small corner off and squeeze the chocolate over the topping.

8. Finish it off with cherries placed so that each slice or serving will have its own cherry. You can also wait until just before serving and pipe on some additional whipped cream on each serving then place the cherry on top. It’s your sundae – go for it!

This summery dessert is super popular whenever and wherever it is served. It is great for family gatherings, holiday picnics like the 4^th of July as well as summer BBQs. It does take a little planning as it should set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours but is even better when made the day before. So indulge yourself this summer with this easy No Bake Banana Split Layer Cake. Enjoy!

More delicious summer desserts

Fresh Fruit Tart - brings all the summer flavors to the table. An almond shortbread crust holds a layer of creamy lemon cheesecake filling topped with your favorite fruits of the summer season.

No Bake Mocha Cheesecake Minis - are small but decadent. Oreo crumbs are layered with mocha cheesecake then topped with whipped cream and an espresso bean to give you a gourmet dessert that only takes 20 minutes. 

Frozen Raspberry Dessert from Kitchen Gidget is a cool and creamy dessert filled with ice cream, raspberries, fudge, and whipped cream.

Creamy Raspberry Lemonade Popsicles - are an easy-to-make summer treat. Just 3 ingredients, yogurt, lemonade, and raspberries, is all it takes for a refreshing healthy snack on a hot day.