This banana split dessert is one of my favorite no-bake desserts. A graham cracker crust is layered with bananas, ice cream, fudge, peanuts, and whipped cream—a winning combination that the entire family will love.
Banana Split Dessert
This Frozen Banana Split Dessert is the perfect recipe if you are feeding a crowd. It is easy to make, and very inexpensive when you consider one recipe makes up to 24 servings. I love frozen dessert recipes like this that can be easily cut and served.
My daughter turned 21 a few days ago, and we were having a big family dinner to celebrate. I thought after 20 years of cake, she might like something a little different.
So, I dug through my treasured book of recipes to see if I could find a fun idea for dessert. It is an old 3-ring binder full of recipes clipped from newspapers, magazines, and handwritten on 3 x 5 cards and scraps of paper. These recipes are taped, stapled, glued, and torn, but, they are well-used and loved. Do you have one of those at your house too?
I came across this recipe and thought I would give it a try in place of a birthday cake. It turned out great! It really was like eating a bite of a banana split or ice cream sundae, and because it was frozen, the birthday candle stayed right in place.
Make-Ahead Dessert
This banana split dessert is a pretty easy dessert to make ahead of time if you are trying to prep for an event or party. At the very least, it’ll need an hour to freeze appropriately, but this dessert keeps so well in the freezer that you can make it up to 48 hours ahead of time. Once you’re ready to enjoy it, just pull the banana split dessert out of the freezer and start slicing.
Addition/Substitution Ideas:
When I made this recipe for my daughter, I stuck to the ingredients in the original recipe. Next time I will get a little more creative and try sliced strawberries in addition to the bananas and maybe a caramel layer as well. You can probably swap out the bananas for strawberries or any other kind of berry for that matter. You can add or take away whatever you would like, according to your family’s tastes.
More Ice Cream Dessert Ideas:
- Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie: This Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie is the easiest dessert with only 3 ingredients! It’s tart and cold and creamy and always a favorite.
- White Chocolate Raspberry Fried Ice Cream: White Chocolate Raspberry Fried Ice Cream is actually not fried at all! This delicious dessert is a chilled creamy treat with a sweet crunchy topping.
- Oreo Ice Cream Pie (Winger’s Copycat): This Mile High Asphalt Pie (Winger’s Copycat) is AMAZING! The chocolate mint ice cream drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with cookies is to die for!
- Raspberry “Fried” Ice Cream Dessert: This Raspberry Fried Ice Cream Dessert is actually not fried at all, but the sweet and crunchy topping gives it that fried texture and taste. This delicious dessert is a chilled creamy treat that serves a crowd.
How to Make the Banana Split Dessert
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs divided
- 4 bananas sliced
- 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream softened
- 1 cup salted peanuts pecans or walnuts would be good too
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 16 oz. whipped topping
Instructions
- Cover bottom of 11x15 pan with 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs.
- Layer sliced bananas over crumbs.
- Slice ice cream 1/2 inch thick and place over bananas
- Sprinkle peanuts over ice cream
- Freeze until firm
- In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter over medium heat
- Add powdered sugar and evaporated milk
- Cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly
- Remove from heat and add vanilla
- Let chocolate mixture cool, then pour over ice cream
- Spread whipped topping over the chocolate layer and sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs
- Freeze until ready to serve
Equipment
- 11x15 inch pan
Nutrition
Linda Peters says
I stirred this for 20 minutes and it never did thicken. What gives?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Did you substitute any of the ingredients? I’ve accidentally used regular sugar instead of powdered sugar before and it won’t thicken that way. I’d love to help, but I just need a little more info!
Linda Peters says
I used exactly the correct ingredients. I found that as it cooled it thickened. It never thickened at all while being stirred. I think the receipt could be changed to say it will thicken when it cools.
It was very good.
Natasha says
Do you not add butter to the cracker base to turn it into a crust?
Erica Walker says
That would be delicious! We don’t do that in this recipe but you can definitely try it when you make it!
Nancy Ruzicka says
Wow, I had forgotten about this recipe. My mom made it often back in the 80’s. She used Neapolitan ice cream.
Karen Howard says
WOW! Look at all the great desserts here! I’ll have to try some.Thanks again for all the great recipes.
Wilma Marshall says
why cant I print your recipes ? I get a blank page when I do to the recipe
Erica says
I’m not sure– you should be able to print through Ziplist. I will try to check it out and see what is going on…
How to Philosophize with Cake says
That looks amazing! So rich and creamy and decadent. 🙂