No Bake Banana Split
How To Make Banana Split Cake
1. Start with a simple graham cracker crust and press into a 9×13″ cake pan. Freeze for 10 minutes.
2. Mix up an easy cheesecake layer (just cream cheese and sugar), then carefully spread over the graham cracker crust.
3. Top with a layer of crushed pineapple and sliced bananas.
4. Followed by a layer of cheesecake pudding mixture and a layer of whipped cream.
5. Top with your favorite banana split toppings!
6. This cake takes only a few minutes to pull together, but can be made up to 2 days in advance. I wouldn’t make it too much earlier than that because the bananas will start to brown.
7. The layer of pudding that goes on top of the bananas was originally vanilla pudding mix, but my sister in law suggested I use the cheesecake pudding mix and I agree. It’s a delicious switch, but if you’re wanting a little more vanilla flavor to the cake, you can definitely stick with the vanilla.
8. Finish the top with a layer of cool whip or whipped cream and sprinkle with chopped pecans. If you’re more of a chopped peanut fan on top of your banana split then by all means, go for it!
9. The recipe also stated to place a layer of sliced bananas on top of the cake, but I didn’t want the bananas to brown, so I decided to just have sliced bananas, cherries and chocolate syrup as an optional topping for my family. They got to dress their cake slices however they wanted.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/4 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 20 oz crushed pineapple, drained
- 5 medium bananas, divided
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 4 serving size packages Jello instant cheesecake pudding mixes
- 2 cups thawed whipped topping, such as cool whip, divided
Optional Toppings
- 1 cup chopped pecans or preferred nut
- maraschino cherries
- chocolate syrup
Instructions
1. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar and the melted butter in a bowl and mix to combine. Press the crumbs evenly into a 9x13" cake pan and freeze for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile beat the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy. Carefully spread over the graham cracker crust into an even layer. Top with a layer of the crushed pineapple (make sure to drain very well). Slice 4 of the bananas into discs and layer on top of the pineapple.
3. Combine the cold milk and 2 pudding mixes in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the thawed whipped topping and fold in until combined. Spread over the bananas into an even layer. Top with the remaining whipped topping. Cover and chill until ready to serve (best if chilled at least 2 to 5 hours).
4. Serve with optional toppings and additional sliced bananas on top if desired.
Notes
This dessert can be made up to 2 days in advance.
