Banana Split Dessert is a light and sweet Banana Cream Lush recipe topped with chocolate sauce, maraschino cherries, and pineapple. Enjoy this delightful dessert at any summer holiday, potluck or BBQ! (12 slices)
Banana Split Dessert
Hello Everyone, I am here with another awesome Lush recipe, this time, it’s Banana Split Dessert Lush.
Did you see my recent Banana Cream Lush with Bananas Foster Sauce? This Banana Split Dessert is a different version of that. Have you seen my Coconut Cream, Lemon, and Mocha Lush recipes? They are also great options for summer dessert ideas and just like this Banana Cream Lush, they feed a crowd with 12 big slices per recipe.
Ingredients for Banana Split Dessert
Bottom Graham Cracker Crust Layer (for no bake crust option):
- 2 (5 ounce) packages of regular, honey or vanilla graham crackers, finely ground using a food processor or manually crushing
- 5-8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and cooled *I give a range for the amount because I have found that depending on the humidity, you may need more or less butter
Bottom Pecan Crust Layer (for baked crust option):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup finely chopped or food processor processed pecans (great for the mini food processor)
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
Cream Cheese Layer (2nd Layer):
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
Banana Cream Pudding Layer (3rd Layer):
- 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant banana cream pudding mix
- 4 cups milk (you can also do 3 1/2, if you want it slightly thicker)
Whipped & Toppings Layer (4th Layer):
- 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping (I used Cool Whip), you can substitute the same amount whipped cream
- 2-3 chopped pecans or walnuts (this would go if you chose the bottom pecan crust option too)
- maraschino cherries (I use a 10 ounce jar, 284 grams) – there will be some extra leftover for serving individual slices, if people want more
- 1 can (20 ounce/1 pound 4 ounces/567 grams) pineapple chunks – there will be extra for serving individual slices, if people want more
- chocolate sauce to drizzle over slices
- right before serving: 1 freshly sliced banana (optional)
Kitchen Tools Needed for this Banana Split Dessert
This is a perfect one-pan dessert recipe to bring along to work parties, BBQ’s, picnics, family outings and more!
You are going to love this Banana Split Dessert recipe!
This banana split masterpiece will be the star of any BBQ or gathering you bring it to, similar to this heavenly Chocolate Lasagna recipe!
Ingredients
Bottom Graham Cracker Crust Layer (for no bake crust option):
- 10 ounces graham crackers 2 5-ounce packages, finely ground using a food processor or manually crushing
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
Bottom Pecan Crust Layer (for baked crust option):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped or food processor processed
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
Banana Cream Pudding Layer
- 6.8 ounces instant banana cream pudding mix 2 3.4-ounce packages
- 4 cups milk
Whipped & Toppings Layer
- 8 ounces Cool Whip you can substitute the same amount whipped cream
- 2-3 chopped pecans or walnuts
- 10 ounce maraschino cherries may be extra left over
- 20 ounce pineapple chunks may be extra left over
- 3 tbsp chocolate sauce to drizzle over slices
- 1 large banana sliced and added right before serving
Before You Begin
I suggest using an offset spatula for spreading the layers and make sure it's clean before starting a new layer. After refrigerating, for serving to show more defined layers, you can just take a butter knife and "wipe" along the sides and the layers will show nicely. You can freeze the Banana Split Lush overnight (at least 6 hours) to get more defined slices. Make sure you use a sharp knife to cut down into the bottom crust first before removing with the spatula. It will defrost fairly quickly depending on the room temperature.
Instructions
- Bottom Graham Cracker Crust (for a no bake crust option): In a medium-large bowl, mix melted and cooled unsalted butter with finely ground, processed graham crackers. Press into the bottom of a 13X9 pan. Cover and chill until the next layer is ready.
- Bottom Pecan Crust Layer (for traditional lush baked crust option): Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, melted and cooled butter, finely ground pecans and 1/4 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes (25 mins works best for me) until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before adding any layers.
- Cream Cheese Layer(2nd layer): Using a hand electric mixer, combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 1-2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (2 tablespoons works best for me). Mixture should be even and smooth. Spread evenly on top of the baked and cooled bottom pecan crust or no bake graham cracker crust.
- Banana Cream Pudding Layer: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk and instant banana cream pudding mix until set. It may take 4-5 minutes to thicken. Spread evenly on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Whipped & Toppings Layer: Using an offset spatula, spread thawed whipped topping on top of the banana cream pudding layer. Place the maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks on top of the whipped layer. For serving drizzle with chocolate sauce. Optionally, before serving you can serve with freshly sliced bananas. Optionally, you can freeze the Bananas Fosters Lush overnight (without the Bananas Fosters sauce) for more defined slices. Do not freeze if you substitute homemade whipped cream because it might not hold up like frozen whipped topping like Cool Whip.Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 491cal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 3.7mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 1.5mg
