Banana Split Cake

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that tastes like summer in every bite, this Southern Style Banana Split Cake is the answer. It features layers of a creamy cheesecake-like filling, sweet bananas, juicy pineapple, and fluffy whipped topping, it’s everything you love about a classic banana split transformed into an easy, no-bake cake.

Ingredients to Make Banana Split Cake Recipe

This Banana Split Cake brings back so many sweet memories from family gatherings over the years. It was always a staple on our dessert table and one of the first treats to disappear. With its buttery crust, creamy filling, and layers of fresh fruit, it’s easy to see why everyone loved it. After a quick bake to set the crust, the remaining layers come together with no additional cooking required, making it a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, and special occasions.

It’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, holidays, special celebrations, or Sunday suppers, this old-fashioned Southern favorite is a year-round treat. Whether you’re serving it at Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive occasion in between, its colorful layers and refreshing flavor make it a no bake dessert everyone will love.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make a Southern-Style Banana Split Cake: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• Crust – Graham cracker crumbs, pecans or walnuts, granulated sugar and melted butter.
• Cream Cheese Layer – Cream cheese whipped with powdered sugar, pineapple juice and vanilla extract.
• Whipped Cream – You’ll need whipped topping i.e. Cool Whip for the cream cheese layer and for frosting the top.
• Fruit and Toppings – Fresh strawberries hulled and sliced, bananas slices, canned crushed pineapple for the fruity layer.
• Lemon Juice – Lemon juice to toss with the banana slices to help delay oxidation.
  2-3 Tbsp lemon juice
• Chocolate – Fudge ice cream topping for drizzling the top.

How to Make Banana Split Cake Recipe

• Heat Oven and Toast Pecans – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f Spread 1/2 cup chopped pecans on a sheet pan and toast. This is for sprinkling the top.
• Make the Crust – Stir together graham cracker crumbs, remaining chopped pecans, granulated sugar and melted butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake per the recipe just until lightly golden brown and set. Cool completely.
• Cream Cheese Layer – Whip together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, pineapple juice and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Whip for 2 minutes until fluffy and evenly combined. On low speed, beat in one 8 ounce whipped topping. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
• Layer Fruit – Arrange a layer of strawberry slices over the cream cheese layer. Toss bananas with lemon juice, then arrange over the strawberries. Cover bananas with crushed pineapple.
• Frost the Top – Cover completely with whipped topping.
• Garnish and Refrigerate – Drizzle the top with hot fudge and sprinkle with pecans. Chill for at least 4 hours.
• Serve – Decorate the each piece with a dollop of whipped topping and a single cherry. Slice and serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Banana Split Cake

• Large baking sheet pan or cookie sheet to toast the pecans.
• 13×9-inch baking dish.
• Large bowl.
• Nut chopper or food processor and knife and chopping board.
• Strawberry huller.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Offset icing spatula.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Nuts – You can use chopped walnuts or chopped pecans for the crust.
• Graham Crackers – You can use crushed Nilla wafers in place of graham cracker crumbs for the graham cracker crust.
• Cream Cheese – You can use Neufchatel cream cheese in place of full fat cream cheese.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover banana split cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy.

More Dessert Recipes to Make

• Lemon Meringue Cheesecake is the best of both worlds.
• Island inspired Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush.
• Drumstick Layered Dessert is sure to become a family favorite.
• Chocolate Lush is rich, fudgy and so simple to make!
• No worries about melting ice cream when you serve Banana Split Lush.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna is a crowd favorite!
• Sweet Blueberry Yum Yum.
• No ice cream machine is needed to make this Banana Pudding Ice Cream.
• Strawberry Lush is as decadent as its name.

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