No Bake Banana Split Cake

This cool and creamy No Bake Banana Split Cake is everything you could want for a summer picnic! An easy recipe that takes only 30 minutes and needs no baking, makes it the perfect dessert for the season.

With layers of cool, creamy custard, fresh fruit, and a topping of cool whip, this ice box treat is like a banana split in cake form. It’s the perfect dessert to whip up for summer BBQs and friendly get-togethers.

Cool and Creamy Desserts

I love cool and creamy desserts that are simple to throw together and don’t heat up the kitchen. Recipes like No-Bake Grasshopper Pie, Coffee Ice Cream Pie, and Mango Pineapple Icebox Cheesecake fit my criteria as well as this easy No Bake Banana Split Cake. It's a family favorite I’ve been making for over 30 years.

What is a Banana Split?

A banana split is a type of ice cream dessert that is both traditional and popular in many parts of the world. It is typically composed of a lengthwise-split banana, three scoops of ice cream, various sauces or syrups such as chocolate, pineapple, and strawberry on each scoop, and then it's topped with nuts and whipped cream.

The banana acts as the base of the dessert, and the ice cream and toppings are added on top. The final touch is often a cherry on top of the whipped cream.

National Banana Split Day is celebrated annually on August 25th.

Banana Split Origin

The banana split was created by a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist named David Evans Strickler in the town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1904. Strickler enjoyed inventing sundaes at the soda fountain in the pharmacy where he worked, and the banana split was one of his creations.

What is a Banana Split Cake?

A banana split cake is a dessert that takes the components of a banana split sundae and transforms them into a layered cake form. It's a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the traditional banana split in a different way. It's like a giant banana split in cake form.

This dessert typically consists of several layers. The base layer is often a crust made from crushed graham crackers, cookies, or even vanilla wafers.

The next layer is a creamy filling, which can be custard, pudding, or sweetened cream cheese.

The filling is then topped with slices of bananas, crushed pineapple, and sometimes a layer of strawberry pie filling or fresh sliced strawberries.

The top layer is usually whipped topping and then garnished with chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, and chocolate syrup or hot fudge, mimicking the toppings on a classic banana split.

While the banana split cake is inspired by the banana split dessert, its structure is more akin to a no-bake icebox cake or a layered pudding dessert than a traditional baked cake. It's a popular dessert for holidays, potlucks, and parties, as it can be made ahead of time and served chilled.

Why This is the Best Banana Split Cake Recipe

This banana split cake without cream cheese has a custard filling. Traditional ice cream is made with custard and so the cake mimics the dessert.

This southern 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 creamy buttery filling, sliced bananas, crushed pineapple and all topped with fluffy 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.

Ingredients

Simple ingredients are all you need to make this easy no bake layered dessert.

• Graham Crackers
• Butter
• Eggs
• White Granulated Sugar
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Salt
• Crushed Pineapple
• Bananas
• Cool Whip
• Toppings: Fudge Sauce, Cherries, Chopped Nuts

How to Make A No Bake Banana Split Cake

Recipe Notes and Variations

Some people get a little squeamish at the thought of a dessert with raw eggs but you can always use pasteurized eggs. I find this custard layer is lighter than a typical cream cheese filling.

Here are a few alternatives to the recipe:

• Banana Split Pie - Use 2 pie pans instead of a 9x13-inch pan. Or use 2 pre-made graham cracker crusts and you don't have to make the crust.
• Banana Split Torte - Use 2 torte pans instead of a 9x13-inch pan.
• Banana Split Trifle - Layer the graham cracker crumbs, filling, fruit, and whipped topping in a trifle dish. Top with hot fudge sauce, nuts, and cherries.
• Substitute the custard with sweetened cream cheese. Just beat together 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1½ cups powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• Substitute the custard with a boxed vanilla or banana pudding prepared as directed on the package.
• Use a vanilla cookie crust or Oreo cookie crust instead of a graham cracker crust.
• Use fresh pineapple instead of canned. Chop the pineapple into small diced pieces and drain them.
• Don’t care for pineapple? You can sub in some ripe sliced strawberries in their place.
• Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the sliced bananas.
• Make your own whipped cream in lieu of the Cool Whip. It will be a little richer but just as delicious.
• Use caramel sauce instead of fudge sauce.
• Let the kids add a few sprinkles to really up the fun factor!

Make Ahead

A banana split icebox cake is a great dessert to make 1 or 2 days in advance. Make it, chill it, serve it, and watch the smiles appear.

How to Store and Freeze

Store the cake and any leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. The cake will last up to 3 days. After 3 days the bananas will start to turn brown and the pineapple juices will cause the cake to get watery.

To freeze: Make sure the cake is in a freezer-safe container. Wrap it with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. the frozen cake will last up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

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This post has been updated and was first published on June 27, 2021.