Frozen Banana Split Dessert

4.56 from 9 votes
15 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

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. 

Fork next to Banana Split Dessert on a plate.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Frozen Banana Split
  2. Where did this Recipe Come From?
  3. Easy Make-Ahead Dessert
  4. Addition/Substitution Ideas
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Frozen Banana Split Dessert
  6. More Ice Cream Dessert Ideas
  7. How to Make Frozen Banana Split Dessert
  8. Frozen Banana Split Dessert Recipe

Frozen Banana Split Dessert is the perfect sweet treat for feeding a crowd. All the classic banana split flavors, layered into an easy-to-make layered dessert that feeds It is easy to make, fun to decorate and even more delicious to eat! And since one recipe makes up to 24 servings, it’s an inexpensive dessert too!

Ingredients for Banana Split Dessert including bananas, ice cream, cool whip, evaporated milk, chocolate chips, vanilla, butter, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and peanuts.


Ingredients in Frozen Banana Split

This luscious layered dessert tastes like a bite of a banana split or ice cream sundae. And it’s so easy to make! Here’s what you need:

  • Graham cracker crumbs – 3 ½ cups crushed crackers, divided. You’ll use some for an even layer at the bottom of pan, and also more to sprinkle on top.
  • Bananas – about four large bananas, sliced
  • Vanilla ice cream – an entire half gallon, softened so you can easily get scoops of ice cream out and work with them.
  • Salted peanuts – one cup, or more if you like extra crunch. You can use any kind of nuts you like: pecans or walnuts would be so good too
  • Chocolate chips – use any brand you like and any flavor! Semi-sweet, milk, dark, etc.
  • Butter or Margarine – half cup or one cube
  • Powdered sugar – two cups
  • Evaporated milk – NOT sweetened condensed milk. The evaporated milk, butter, powdered sugar and chocolate will fold together to make the most divine hot fudge mixture.
  • Vanilla extract – one teaspoon
  • Whipped topping – make your own homemade whipped cream or use a tub of Cool Whip for convenience.
  • Maraschino cherries – Optional, but it’s always fun to have a jar maraschino cherries on hand to make a dessert or ice cream sundae extra special.
Slice of frozen Banana Split Dessert on a spatula.

Where did this Recipe Come From?

When my daughter turned 21, we had 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 binder of tattered, treasured recipes to see if I could find a fun idea for dessert. This recipe jumped out at me as a unique spin on a banana split cake. It’s like the best of both worlds: a cake and delicious ice cream treat. So yummy!

Two slices of Banana Split Dessert with cherries on top and peanuts not he side.

Easy Make-Ahead Dessert

Frozen Banana Split Cake is super easy to make ahead of time when prepping for an event or party. It needs at least an hour to freeze appropriately, but you can keep it in the freezer for up to two days before serving. Once you’re ready to enjoy it, just pull the banana split dessert out of the freezer and start slicing.

Fudge sauce in a small pan drizzling from a wooden spoon for Banana Split Dessert.

Addition/Substitution Ideas

When I made this recipe for my daughter, I stuck to the ingredients in the original recipe. But you can get more creative and make this dessert a little different every time you make it!

  • Sliced strawberries
  • Fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks
  • Chocolate Syrup
  • Raspberries
  • Caramel sauce
  • Sprinkles

Frequently Asked Questions about Frozen Banana Split Dessert

What is on the original banana split?

The original banana split is believed to have been invented in the early 1900s, and consisted of a sliced banana, scoops of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream, three kinds of toppings and whipped cream. This dessert tastes just like a real banana split, with much less hassle!

How to store leftovers?

Keep leftover dessert right in the serving dish and keep in the freezer for up to a month. Don’t store leftovers in the refrigerator, because it’ll melt all over and won’t keep those pretty layers.

Why do frozen bananas taste like ice cream?

Bananas become sweeter when frozen and when blended it takes on a creamy texture like ice cream.

READ NEXT:33+ Easy Dessert Ideas

Banana Split dessert in a dish with cherries on top.

More Ice Cream Dessert Ideas

How to Make Frozen Banana Split Dessert

Fork next to Banana Split Dessert on a plate.

Frozen Banana Split Dessert

4.56 from 9 votes
This Frozen Banana Split Dessert is the perfect ice cream treat. A graham cracker crust layered with bananas, ice cream, fudge, peanuts, and whipped cream!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Freeze 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15

Equipment

  • 11×15 inch pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cover bottom of 11×15 pan with 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs.
    Glass rectangle dish with pressed graham cracker crumbs for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Layer sliced bananas over crumbs.
    Glass rectangle with sliced bananas on top of graham cracker for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Slice ice cream ½ inch thick and place over bananas
    Glass rectangle dish with flattened ice cream for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Sprinkle peanuts over ice cream. Freeze until firm
    Glass dish with a salted peanut layer for Banana Split Dessert.
  • 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
    Fudge sauce in a small pan drizzling from a wooden spoon for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Let chocolate mixture cool, then pour over ice cream
    Glass rectangle dish with a fudge layer for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Spread whipped topping over the chocolate layer and sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs
    Glass rectangle dish with whipped topping layer for Banana Split Dessert.
  • Freeze until ready to serve
    Glass rectangle dish with Graham cracker crumb on top of Banana Split Dessert.
  • Top with your favorite sundae toppings.
    Banana Split dessert in a dish with cherries on top.

Notes

  • This Frozen Banana Split Cake is super easy to make ahead of time when prepping for an event or party.
  • It needs at least an hour to freeze appropriately, but you can keep it in the freezer for up to two days before serving.
  • Once you’re ready to enjoy it, just pull the banana split dessert out of the freezer and start slicing.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 740kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 13gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 377mgPotassium: 672mgFiber: 4gSugar: 66gVitamin A: 832IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 288mgIron: 2mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

More about Echo Blickenstaff

Similar Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

    1. 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!

      1. 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.

      2. 3 stars
        I prepared this exactly according to recipe. I cooked the chocolate chips, butter and powdered sugar and evaporated milk. I stirred and stirred and it didn’t thicken. So I removed it from the stove and put in refrigerator. After about an hour, it got some thicker, but still pourable. I went ahead and poured it over the layers, thinking it would freeze along with the rest of the ingredients. After about 3 hours, I went to slice a piece and when I took it out of the pan, the chocolate was dripping all over the place and it was a mess. This recipe needs tweaked to say how long to cook chocolate mixture and what consistency it needs to be before adding it to the top. This was an absolute mess. The taste wasn’t bad, but it would be embarrassing to take it to a gathering, which was what I had in mind to do. Won’t be making this again.

        1. I am so sorry that this recipe didn’t turn out for you. We will take a look at the directions and try to edit them for clarity.

    1. That would be delicious! We don’t do that in this recipe but you can definitely try it when you make it!

  1. 5 stars
    Wow, I had forgotten about this recipe. My mom made it often back in the 80’s. She used Neapolitan ice cream.

  2. 5 stars
    WOW! Look at all the great desserts here! I’ll have to try some.Thanks again for all the great recipes.

    1. 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…