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Cakes and Pies » Banana Split Cake

Banana Split Cake

Published: Jun 11, 2021 · Modified: Jun 11, 2021 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe
slice of banana split cake with a cherry on top.
slice of banana split cake with a cherry on top.
slice of banana split cake with a cherry on top.
slice of banana split cake with a cherry on top.
slice of banana split cake with a cherry on top.

Banana Split Cake is the perfect no-bake dessert! It has all of the flavors of a classic banana split, made into a 13×9 inch cake.

slice of banana split cake drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with a maraschino cherry.

Be prepared for lots of compliments when you make this Banana Split Cake! It has all of the delicious flavors of a banana split, made into a cake that’s meant for sharing.

The cake starts with a graham cracker crumb base (no baking required!). The crust is topped sliced bananas, followed by a sweetened cream cheese filling—which sports the addition of crushed pineapple.

Then, the cake is spread with whipped topping and garnished with chopped maraschino cherries, toasted pecans, and chocolate sauce.

banana split cake slice with chocolate drizzle on a white plate.

It’s out-of-this-world delicious, and it’s a great addition to an outdoor gathering, cookout, potluck, or party.

And, it’s no-bake, making it ideal for a warm summer day. I hope you love it as much as we did!

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Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to make Banana Split Cake
  • FAQs
  • Serving and storing the cake
  • More no-bake desserts
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Related recipes

Ingredients

ingredients for banana split cake.
  • Graham cracker crumbs and butter make up the base of the dessert. You can purchase graham cracker crumbs or make your own using graham crackers and a food processor.
  • You’ll want to use ripe but not overly ripe bananas. Yellow without too many brown spots is perfect!
  • The crushed pineapple gets folded into the middle layer—a mixture of cream cheese and powdered sugar. Make sure to drain the pineapple well so it doesn’t make it runny.
  • Maraschino cherries and pecans get sprinkled on top. I like them finely chopped so you get a little in each bite.

How to make Banana Split Cake

Start by combining the graham cracker crumbs and the melted butter in a medium bowl. Then, press them into a 13×9 inch pan. No need to grease the pan first!

You also will NOT be baking the crust. It doesn’t need it—this is a true no-bake dessert!

graham cracker crust in a white 13x9 inch pan.

Next, drain the crushed pineapple very well. Mix the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar on high with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Stir or beat in the crushed pineapple.

cream cheese mixture in a glass bowl with a hand mixer.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust. I like using an offset spatula so that it spreads easily.

offset spatula spreading cream cheese mixture over a graham cracker crust in a white pan.

Top the cream cheese layer with a layer of thinly sliced bananas. I used three medium-sized bananas to cover the whole pan.

sliced bananas in a 13x9 inch white pan.

Spread the whipped topping over the bananas. Again, I love an offset spatula for this.

offset spatula spreading whipped cream over banana slices.

Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2 hours, or until you’re ready to serve it. Right before serving, sprinkle the top with chopped pecans and chopped maraschino cherries.

banana split cake topped with pecans and cherries.

I also like to garnish it with a few banana slices to give a hint of what’s in the dessert!

FAQs

Can I use whipped cream instead of whipped topping?

Yes! You’ll need 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Whip them all together with a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form, then spread it on top of the cake. Serve the cake within 4 hours of making the whipped cream (after that, the whipped cream starts to deflate and can get runny).

How many graham crackers are in 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs?

There are 14–15 full sheets of graham crackers in 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. Use a food processor to crush the graham crackers into crumbs.

Can I make banana split cake gluten-free?

The only ingredient that contains gluten in this recipe is the graham crackers. To make the cake gluten free, use gluten-free graham crackers (Pamela’s is one brand that is widely available). As always, check the labels of any other store-bought ingredients for gluten as well.

Can I make banana split cake dairy-free?

To make this dessert dairy-free, substitute a dairy-free butter for the regular butter, a dairy-free cream cheese block for the cream cheese, and a dairy-free whipped topping (such as Truwip Vegan) for the whipped topping.

Serving and storing the cake

If you’d like to see the layers in this dessert when you slice it, place the pan in the freezer for 30–45 minutes before serving. That’ll firm up each layer to make it easier to stay together when it’s sliced. (I would do this if I’m serving this as a plated dessert for a lunch or dinner party, for example.)

If you don’t mind seeing the layers, just serve it straight from the refrigerator. I would do this for a potluck, and place a big serving spoon in the dessert for people to help themselves.

Just before serving the dessert in slices, drizzle it with chocolate sauce. I used Hershey’s syrup here, since it’s easy to drizzle without heating it up.

slice of banana split cake topped with chocolate sauce on a white plate.

The cake will last in the refrigerator for several days after serving. Just cover the pan with a lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap before storing it.

More no-bake desserts

When it’s warm and you don’t want to turn on the oven, check out these other no-bake recipes for more inspiration!

Special K Bars (also known as scotcheroos)

Boiled Cookies

Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats

Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!


cup of ambrosia and slice of banana cake.

📖 Recipe

slice of banana split cake drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with a maraschino cherry.

Banana Split Cake

This easy no-bake dessert is perfect for a potluck or cookout!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 282 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the first layer:

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the second layer:

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained well

For the third layer:

  • 3 bananas, sliced
  • 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping

Toppings:

  • Finely chopped pecans
  • Maraschino cherries, chopped
  • Chocolate sauce

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the graham crackers crumbs and one stick of melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a 13×9 inch pan.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and one stick of softened butter with a hand mixer until combined. Beat in the powdered sugar, then beat in the crushed pineapple.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the graham cracker crust.
  • Place the sliced bananas in an even layer on top of the cream cheese layer. Top with whipped topping, and spread it evenly over the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or until you're ready to serve it.
  • When you're ready to serve it, sprinkle the chopped pecans and chopped maraschino cherries over the cake. Cut the cake into slices, place the slices on plates, and drizzle the slices with chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

To get perfectly cut slices (where you can see all the layers), place the dessert in the freezer for 30–40 minutes before slicing.
The cake will last in the refrigerator for several days after serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 193mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg
Keyword banana split cake
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Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here

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