This decadent Banana Split Lush is very similar to a banana split icebox cake my Mom used to make for us when we were kids. It features layers of cream cheese, pineapple and banana slices all drizzled with chocolate and lots of colorful sprinkles. Add a layer of strawberries if you like, and lots of toasted nuts. Top it all off with whipped cream and maraschino cherries then step aside and watch it disappear.
Easy Banana Split Lush Recipe
How to Make the BEST Banana Split Lush Recipe
This stunning Banana Split Lush dessert is ideal for entertaining. You can pack it up and take to picnics and outdoor events as well as office or church potluck parties. It's one of those luscious layered dessert recipes that are always a crowd pleaser. It's a treat that's simple to make in advance and have it ready to serve when you're ready to eat dessert.
- Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Banana Split Lush: For the crust you'll need crushed graham crackers, toasted walnuts, melted butter and sugar. To make the filling layers you'll need cream cheese, powdered sugar, crushed pineapple, sliced bananas, instant white chocolate or cheesecake instant pudding mix, cold milk or half and half, whipped topping, maraschino cherries and sprinkles. You also need a thick hot fudge sauce slightly warmed to go on top.
- Kitchen gadgets you'll need: A 13 x 9 inch deep baking dish, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a hand mixer or a stand mixer, an offset icing spatula or silicone spoon to spread the cream cheese and whipped cream layers, a sharp knife and chopping board plus a small spoon to stir the hot fudge sauce before pouring on top.
- If you prefer, you can also use Neufchatel cheese in this lush in place of plain cream cheese with no other adjustments needed.
- You can use pecans, macadamia nuts or almonds in place of walnuts. The method of toasting in the oven would be the same.
- I use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to decorate the top of this banana split lush. You could also use a large Ziploc bag with the tip cut off to drop one dollop of whipped cream on each individual serving piece and then decorate it with a maraschino cherry. This way, every serving looks the same.
- When covering the banana slices with filling, make sure you take the filling to the edge of the dish to seal the and protect them from oxidizing too quickly. Doing so will delay browning.
- If you'd like to add a layer of fresh sliced strawberries to this dessert you can! You'll need around 2 cups of fresh sliced strawberries to make a layer. Alternately, drizzle the banana layer with strawberry ice cream topping.
- For the layers to set adequately allow at least 4-6 hours of chill time in the refrigerator before cutting and serving. It will keep overnight as well.
- Store Banana Split Lush in the the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Southern Style Lush Desserts to Make
These types of desserts seem to have a thousand names and in my kitchen, each one spells delicious. More luscious dessert recipes you may like to try:
- This island inspired Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush is like a staycation.
- Two favorites are combined in this recipe for Caramel Banana Pudding Lush.
- This Black Forest Lush recipe will make a stunning addition to your holiday desserts menu.
- Pumpkin Spice Layered Lush Dessert is a tasty alternative to pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
- Banana Pudding Lush is one more way to enjoy this iconic southern dessert.
- You may also like to try this Pina Colada Banana Bread from Mom on Timeout with a cup of coffee or hot tea.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Banana Split Lush
Ingredients
- 2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans divided
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained
- 4 medium bananas sliced
- 2 3.4 oz boxes white chocolate or cheesecake instant pudding
- 3 cup milk
- 1 16 oz whipped topping or 4 cup fresh whipped cream divided
- hot fudge sauce slightly warmed
- 16 maraschino cherries with stems
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread ½ cup walnut pieces in a single layer and toast for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool. Spritz the bottom only of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl mix together the graham cracker crumbs, remaining ½ cup chopped walnuts, granulated sugar and melted butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden and set. Cool completely.
- Whip together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, drained pineapple and 1 cup whipped topping. Whip for 2 minutes until fluffy and evenly combined. Spread evenly over the crust.
- Top with a layer of banana slices.
- Whip together both boxes of instant white chocolate pudding with 3 cups of cold milk for 2-3 minutes until thickened but still pourable. Pour over the bananas.
- Frost the top with the remaining whipped topping. Drizzle with chocolate fudge and garnish with the remaining toasted walnuts and maraschino cherries. Decorate as desired.
- Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting to allow the layers to set.
Notes
Nutrition
Mandy
This was delocious! I would definitely advise using a different crust. Re made it twice, it's just very hard with all the butter and sugar. Very good, but cut through pan and cut up the table slicing it. Everyone just went without crust. Would maybe use 3 cups graham to 1/4 or 1/2 a stick of butter. Will be making this again!
Melissa
This isn't designed to be made in a disposable pan and I highly recommend you make this in a real baking dish or pan as stated in the recipe directions. It wasn't the crust but, very difficult to cut a baked crust in a disposable pan there's just no firm foundation plus the thin pan causes things to overbake quite easily.
Janice
The crust on mine turned out perfect, going exactly by the recipe.
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Teresa
Making tomorrow!
Valerie
I am wanting to make this and was wondering if you could use ice cream instead of cream cheese as most in my family do not like it
Melissa
Only if you plan to freeze it.
Mary W
What are your thoughts on freezing this dessert?
Melissa
While I haven't frozen this particular dish, desserts in general do freeze well. I would recommend that you wait and finish the top garnishing with cherries just before serving and thawing in the refrigerator, of course.
Mary
Thanks. I make a meal twice each month for senior members at church. I like recipes I can prepare in advance and this one caught my eye as a cool summer dessert.
Virginia Stewart
Ausome how can I get all your recipe? my grand daughter loves to bake
Melissa
You can print them from here or take a peak at my cookbook available on QVC or Amazon. Welcome!
Susan
I have let my banana slices soak in the juice from the pineapple for about 5 minutes then drained and used them in another dessert recipe. It might work for this one also if you don't want to use lemon juice to soak them so they won't turn brown.
Donna Giblin
do you happen to have any pictures of what a cut piece looks like. This looks delicious!
Melissa
I don't, sorry.
kathy taylor
Does the bananas turn brown in this dessert?
Melissa
Bananas will eventually turn, yes. Making it the day you want to serve it or the day before they will do fine.
Marcia Michalitsianou
The dessert sounds really fabulous, Melissa. I have only one problem and that is I live on a Greek island where we don't have ready access to many things, one of them being Instant Pudding, let alone a White Chocolate version ! Just about the only thing I've ever seen is a Greek vanilla instant pudding. I wonder if I could melt some white chocolate and whip it into the vanilla instant pudding. What do you think ?
Melissa
Hi Marcia, your island sounds amazing! I think that would be a terrific adaptation, great idea. Let me know how it goes and thanks so much for visiting.
Dolores Boyd
Please tell me how to send an e-mail. It did not work for me.
Melissa
You can email me at melissa@melissassouthernstylekitchen.com
Judy Mouse
I noticed the strawberries are missing, is that right?
Melissa
I didn't include strawberries in this recipe but, you may if you like.
Ashley
At what place in the order would you add the strawberries? With the pineapples?
Melissa
Sure, I don't think there's a wrong place to add them.
Jennifer
It looks amazing. Love the design of individual whipped cream & cherries on top.
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Yvette
If you use real whipped cream do you whip it first before mixing with cream cheese ..and does it hold up for the topping ?
Melissa
That's such a great question. Real whipped cream doesn't hold up quite as well it's just the nature of it. If you want to make this in advance, use prepared whipped topping,
Bonnie
I use a whipped cream stabilizer called whip it and it's the most amazing stuff ever. Add it to your homemade whipped cream and it will stay fluffy!
Melissa
Great tip!
dorothy
can i make this without the nuts of any kind my guys cant have any kind of them but would still like to make this thank you
Melissa
Sure, just leave them out or serve them on the side for the nut fans to sprinkle on top.
Andrea
Hey Melissa! Y
Your cake looks delicious! I also want to try it this week for the birthday of a friend, I just have on problem: I am from Italy and there we use different measures. Could you explain to me what "22 [8] oz cream cheese" means? What stands the "[8]" for?
I know how much an oz in grams is, I just have a problem with the "[8]".
Thank you very much!
andrea
Melissa
Hi Andrea, thank you for visiting from beautiful Italy! You will need the equivalent of 1 pound of cream cheese for this dessert. 2 [8 oz] cream cheese. If you prefer mascarpone cheese can be used instead in the same amount. Happy baking I hope you enjoy this luscious dessert.
Jacqui
For the banana split lush, can you frost the top with cake frosting or could I use cool whip? Keep in mind I have to transport this to a b-day party with a 3 hr drive. I will decorate the top with whip cream, cherries and nuts once I get there. Thank you for your feed back. Have to make this Thursday nite 5/11/15
Melissa
Hi Jacqui, for this dish there isn't any actual cake in the recipe so traditional icing won't work. You might want to check out my Birthday Cake Cheesecake Poke Cake or my Hawaiian Poke Cake either would be a fantastic option for your needs. Just pop upright into a cold bag for your journey.
Diann Scruggs
Nice hubby will love this Thanks
Laureen King
My family will love this dessert!
Melissa
Hi Laureen, I sure hope so. Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa
Thank you Linda!
Linda
What a WOW dessert Melissa!