Ice cream is amazing, but when you really want to take the quintessential summer treat to the next level, you turn your ice cream into a sundae. And, in my opinion, if you really want to turn things up a notch, you use that ice cream to make a banana split.
There’s just something magical about the combination of perfectly ripe slices of banana; juicy strawberries; a drizzle of dark, warm hot fudge; cool, fluffy whipped cream, and, of course, that signature maraschino cherry on top. But here’s the thing—making banana splits for a whole crowd can be super messy, time-consuming and a little chaotic.
That’s why TikToker @britscookin’s viral No-Bake Banana Split Cake has everyone talking (and drooling). She’s taken those same nostalgic flavors and transformed them into a dessert that’s every bit as fun and delicious but way easier to prepare. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have buttery graham cracker crumbs, a smooth and tangy cheesecake filling, fresh fruit and pillowy whipped topping all in one gorgeous, party-worthy dessert.
The best part? There’s no oven involved and it’s make-ahead friendly, which means this one can be a total game changer for when you need to feed a hungry crowd in the sweltering heat. One slice in, and you’ll understand why this no-bake beauty has gone viral. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, with a cherry on top.
How can I say this all with such confidence? Because I made the recipe in my kitchen and I’m so glad I did. Here’s what you need to know so you can whip up this beauty before summer ends.
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@britscookin No-Bake Banana Split Delight perfect for your Memorial Day Festivities! 🍫🍒🍌 Ingredients: • 1 stick (½ cup) butter, melted • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs • 1 container no-bake cheesecake filling (found near the cream cheese) • 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well • 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries • 4 bananas, sliced • 1 container Cool Whip • Optional toppings: chocolate syrup, chopped walnuts, maraschino cherries Instructions: 1. Make the crust: Melt the butter and stir in the graham cracker crumbs until evenly combined. Press the mixture into a 13×9 dish. Chill in the refrigerator (icebox) for about 15 minutes. 2. Add cheesecake layer: Spread the no-bake cheesecake filling evenly over the crust. Chill again while you prep the fruit. 3. Prep the fruit: Drain the crushed pineapple really well and chop the strawberries. Spread both over the cheesecake layer. 4. Add bananas: Slice the bananas and layer them on top of the fruit. 5. Top and finish: Spread Cool Whip over the bananas and top with chocolate syrup, walnuts, and cherries—or whatever you like. 6. Chill and serve: Let it chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
♬ original sound – britscookin
Ingredients for the No-Bake Banana Split Cake
For this recipe, you’ll need ripe bananas, hot fudge sauce, walnuts, cherries, a container of no-bake cheesecake filling, a container of Cool Whip, canned crushed pineapple, melted butter, graham crackers and fresh strawberries.
Related: I Tried the Viral No-Bake Eclair Cake and It’s My New Go-To Summer Dessert
How to Make the No-Bake Banana Split Cake
Start by crushing up your graham crackers and mixing them with melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set. While that chills, prepare your fruit: drain a can of crushed pineapple and mix it with chopped strawberries.
Once the crust is ready, spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the base. Add the pineapple-strawberry mixture, then layer on sliced bananas. Top with Cool Whip, then drizzle generously with hot fudge or chocolate sauce. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and finish with cherries on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Related:This ‘Lazy Banana Pudding’ Is the Perfect Anytime Treat
My Honest Thoughts About the No-Bake Banana Split Cake
This dessert has all the flavors of a classic banana split, but it’s cool, light and refreshing, which is exactly what you want on a hot summer day. In fact, this one hit a bit of nostalgia for me, too, since it reminded me so much of the banana pudding icebox cake that my mother used to make.
The buttery graham crackers and walnuts give it just the right amount of crunch against the creamy cheesecake filling and fluffy Cool Whip. The fruit mixed in adds the perfect hit of freshness. And the cherry on top? It’s the perfect final bite, just like a real banana split.
I also loved how light and fluffy this dessert is. It isn’t heavy at all, and is just sweet enough and balanced in all the right ways. This one is going in my summer party dessert rotation for sure.
Related: The 75-Year-Old No-Bake Dessert Fans Call ‘Really Light and Delicious’
Courtesy Jessica Wrubel
Tips for Making No-Bake Banana Split Cake
- Swap the Cool Whip. You can absolutely use freshly whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. I think I’ll go that route next time since I’m not a huge Cool Whip fan, though I will admit that it’s super convenient.
- Hot fudge > Chocolate sauce. I used real hot fudge for this one and have zero regrets. It’s thicker, richer and gives a more indulgent finish in taste and presentation.
- Drain your pineapple well. Make sure you drain the pineapple really well for this recipe. Excess liquid is the enemy of this icebox cake.
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