This Banana Split Trifle is a Southern-style dessert that’s downright hard to resist, with layers of pineapple pound cake, creamy vanilla filling, chocolate ganache, sweet strawberries, and juicy pineapple, all piled high and crowned with fluffy whipped cream and maraschino cherries. It’s the kind of showstopping dessert that’ll have folks lining up for a spoonful!

Easy Banana Split Trifle Recipe

I’ve adored trifles from a very young age, so it was only a matter of time before my love of layered desserts turned into this outrageous Banana Split Trifle extravaganza. Over the years, I’ve even collected several trifle bowls, all slightly different in size. This particular one is quite large, making it just right for serving a crowd.

What I love most about this dessert is that it gives you all the fun of a classic banana split in one glorious, spoonable dessert, and you can make it ahead of time. It’s perfect for summer cookouts, family reunions, potlucks, birthdays, holidays, or anytime you’re feeding a crowd and want a dessert that makes a beautiful presentation. Now that’s what I call a win-win!

Key ingredients to make Banana Split Trifle: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Cake – Baked and cooled pineapple pound cake or vanilla pound cake for the cake layer.
Fresh Bananas – Banana slices are the star of this trifle.
Strawberries – A combination of fresh strawberries and strawberry pie filling for a sweet strawberry layer.
Pineapple – Crushed pineapple for a tropical flavor.
Instant Pudding – Instant vanilla pudding mix plus milk or half and half to make.
Cool Whip – Whipped topping for a creamy topping.
Nuts – Toasted chopped pecans add crunch and flavor.
Chocolate Ganache – Semisweet chocolate chips melted with heavy cream for a melty chocolate flavor.
Garnish – Maraschino cherries with stems and grated chocolate bar to sprinkle on top.

How to Make the Best Banana Split Trifle Recipe

Heat Oven and Toast Nuts – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the chopped nuts on a baking sheet and roast until lightly golden brown and fragrant.
Melt Chocolate Chips – Melt together the chocolate chips and heavy cream in the microwave until smooth then set aside to cool slightly.
Make the Pudding Layer – Whip together the pudding mix and cold milk. Whip for 2 minutes or until fully thickened. By hand fold in 1 container of whipped cream. (About 2 cups)
Prep Strawberries – In a separate bowl mix together the sliced fresh strawberries and strawberry pie filling.
Assemble the Trifle – Layer cubes of pound cake, strawberry mixture, crushed pineapple and banana slices in that order.
Drizzle with Chocolate – Drizzle the bananas with chocolate ganache. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used ending with vanilla pudding.
Decorate the Top – Top with whipped topping and sprinkle with toasted nuts and grated chocolate. Garnish as desired with maraschino cherries.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Banana Split Trifle

Large trifle bowl or glass bowl.
Knife and cutting board to cube the cake.
Electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to make the pudding mixture.
Large bowl, small bowl.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Offset spatula or spoon to spread the layers of fruit and vanilla pudding.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Cake – For this recipe I use my Pineapple Pound Cake recipe found here. For a shortcut you could use a butter cake mix, yellow cake, or vanilla pound cake cut into cubes, purchased from your local bakery.
Whipped Cream – You can use fresh whipped cream in this recipe, if you prefer using heavy cream, vanilla extract and granulated sugar. Keep in mind,it’s not as table as Cool Whip so it needs to be assembled the day you plan on serving it.
Chocolate – You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for the ganache.
Nuts – You can customize using your favorite nuts. Walnuts, almonds or macadamia nuts.
Bowl Options – If you don’t have a collection of trifle bowls, you can use a large see-through glass bowl and it will be equally as pretty. You’ll need at least a 4 quart or larger to hold all of the ingredients.
Fully Cover Banana Layer to Prevent Browning – When adding bananas to the trifle, keep them completely covered on each layer so that they remain airtight to prevent oxidation and browning. You may choose to also go the extra step of tossing them with a small amount of fresh lemon juice before assembling the trifle.

Storage and Leftovers

Make-Ahead Tip – You can make this Banana Split Trifle one day in advance, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
Leftovers – Store leftovers trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy.

More Southern Style Trifle Desserts to Make

From the recipe index checkout these scrumptious all occasion trifle recipes:

Berry filled Berry Trifle with White Chocolate Cream.
A celebration of chocolate peanut butter is addictive in this Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle.
Always a fan favorite Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle recipe.
Addictive Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is ideal for any special occasion.
No worries about melting ice cream in this fruit filled Fruit Bowl Sundae.
Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle is a special dessert for a special occasion.
Pina Colada Cake Trifle from Inside BruCrew life.

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