Taste of the Past
Maxine Troxell
No Bake Banana Split Dessert
The No Bake Banana Split Dessert is a classic treat that layers a graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, bananas, pineapple, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate, and Maraschino cherries on top. It is a take on the classic banana split, which is claimed to have been created in Pennsylvania. I can remember the Cozy Restaurant in Thurmont always had this on their dessert bar. It was always a treat to the end of a great meal at Cozy.
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
2 (20 oz.) cans pineapple (crushed, drained)
1 jar Maraschino cherries
½ cup hot fudge sauce
12 full graham cracker sheets (finely crushed)
¼ cup butter (softened)
4 medium bananas (sliced)
16 oz. Cool Whip
½ cup walnuts (crushed)
9 tbsp. butter (melted)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Directions
Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Mix until all the butter has coated the crumbs and the mixture sticks together when pressed. Pour into your baking dish and firmly pack down the graham cracker crumbs. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, ¼ cup butter, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy. Scoop the cream cheese mixture on top of the crust and spread evenly across the top. Then, spread the sliced bananas on top, pressing slightly into the cream cheese mixture. Spread the crushed pineapple on top of the bananas and then add the cool whip.
Finally, decorate the top of your dessert with the crushed walnuts, cherries, and hot fudge.
Chill for several hours, or overnight, before cutting.
