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This chilled, layered dessert features a buttery graham cracker crust, sweet cream cheese filling, bananas, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, and cherries — just like a banana split sundae, but in cake form. No baking, no hassle, just refrigerate and enjoy!
⏱️ Prep & Chill Time
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Chill time: at least 4 hours (or overnight for best results)
- Total time: ~4 hours 20 minutes
🍽️ Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Knife for slicing fruit
🧾 Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) tub whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Fruit & Toppings:
- 3–4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 (20 oz / 560 g) can crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) tub whipped topping (for top layer)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
- Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate (optional drizzle)
🧂 Ingredient Notes
- Use real whipped cream if you prefer; just stabilize it with a bit of powdered sugar.
- Make sure pineapple is drained well to avoid a soggy dessert.
- For a crunchier crust, chill it for longer or bake it briefly (optional).
👨🍳 Instructions
- Make the crust
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
- Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish. Chill in the fridge while you prep the filling.
- Cream cheese layer
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping until combined.
- Spread evenly over the chilled crust.
- Add fruit layers
- Place sliced bananas over the cream cheese layer.
- Spread drained crushed pineapple evenly over the bananas.
- Top with whipped topping
- Spread the remaining whipped topping over the fruit.
- Garnish
- Sprinkle chopped nuts over the top, if using.
- Add maraschino cherries and drizzle with chocolate syrup if desired.
- Chill
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture.
- Serve cold
- Cut into squares and serve chilled.
🧮 Nutrition (per serving, based on 12 servings – estimate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 kcal |
| Carbs | ~35 g |
| Fat | ~18 g |
| Protein | ~3 g |
| Sugar | ~20 g |
💡 Tips & Variations
- Add strawberries: Fresh, sliced strawberries make it even more like a banana split.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free graham crackers.
- Chocolate crust: Use crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate graham crackers instead.
- Individual servings: Assemble in small mason jars or dessert cups for parties.
- Make ahead: This dessert can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
