Description
Creamy no-bake banana split cake combines classic dessert flavors in a chilled summer treat. Cool layers of graham cracker crust, cream cheese, bananas, and whipped topping offer sweet refreshment for home bakers seeking an easy, impressive dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cups unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz (227 g) whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- 20 oz (567 g) crushed pineapple (well-drained)
- 20 oz (567 g) strawberries or raspberries (sliced)
- 3 to 4 bananas (sliced)
- ½ cup chopped hazelnuts (or any nuts of your choice)
- 8 oz (227 g) whipped topping (Cool Whip, for topping)
- chocolate sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers into fine particles, blend with melted butter and salt. Compact the mixture firmly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a solid foundation. Chill while assembling subsequent layers.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth using an electric mixer. Integrate granulated sugar and vanilla extract, blending until uniform. Fold in whipped topping to achieve a light, ethereal texture.
- Fruit Assembly: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly across chilled crust. Artfully layer banana slices, followed by strawberry segments and drained pineapple chunks, ensuring complete fruit coverage.
- Topping Finale: Crown the fruit layer with remaining whipped topping, generating a cloud-like surface. Garnish with scattered hazelnuts and artistic chocolate sauce drizzle for textural complexity and visual intrigue.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate for minimum two hours or overnight, allowing flavors to harmonize. Slice into precise squares and serve thoroughly chilled for optimal taste experience.
Notes
- Crust Compression Tip: Press graham cracker mixture firmly to create a solid, compact base that prevents crumbling when serving.
- Cream Cheese Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature for a silky, lump-free mixture that blends seamlessly.
- Fruit Placement Strategy: Slice bananas just before layering to prevent browning, and arrange fruits in a uniform pattern for consistent flavor and visual appeal.
- Chilling Magic: Patience is key – refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and layers to set perfectly, enhancing overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 306
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 208 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg