Banana Split with Whipped Cream and Cherries

Introduction

A banana split is a fast assembled dessert: you split a banana lengthwise, set three scoops of ice-cream between the halves, then finish it with whipped cream, topping, sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry. You can put it together in 5 minutes, so it works when you want a single-serving dessert without any cooking.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• Ice cream (of your choice)
• Ice cream topping (of your choice)
• Hundreds-and-thousands or sprinkles
• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Peel the banana, cut it in half (length wise), and place it in the serving bowl.
2. Place three full scoops of ice-cream in-between the two pieces of banana.
3. Cover the whole thing with a generous serving of whipped cream.
4. Cover that with a generous serve of ice-cream topping of your choice.
5. Sprinkle some hundreds and thousands of sprinkles over the top of all of that.
6. Place a maraschino cherry on top.

Variations

• Change the Ice cream (of your choice) to vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry for a more classic banana split flavor balance instead of three scoops of one flavor.
• Swap the Ice cream topping (of your choice) for chocolate sauce, caramel, or strawberry sauce depending on whether you want the dessert richer, sweeter, or fruitier.
• Replace the Hundreds-and-thousands or sprinkles with chopped toasted nuts if you want less sweetness and more crunch.
• Use dairy-free Ice cream (of your choice) and dairy-free Whipped cream if you need a dairy-free version; the result is still cold and creamy, with a slightly different richness depending on the products you use.

Tips for Success

• Cut the banana just before assembling so it stays pale and doesn’t dry out.
• Use firm but ripe banana halves so they hold the ice-cream in place instead of collapsing under the scoops.
• Work quickly once you place the three scoops of ice-cream in-between the two pieces of banana so the toppings go on before the ice cream starts to melt.
• Add the Hundreds-and-thousands or sprinkles and maraschino cherry last so they stay visible and don’t sink into the whipped cream and sauce.
• Serve it in a long, shallow bowl so the banana halves support the scoops and the toppings stay contained.

Storage and Reheating

You should serve a banana split as soon as it is assembled. Once built, it doesn’t store well: the ice cream melts, the whipped cream softens, and the banana discolors.

If you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day, knowing the texture will be poor. Do not freeze the assembled dessert.

Store unused ice cream in its original container in the freezer, whipped cream in a covered container in the fridge according to its package or preparation method, and maraschino cherries in their jar in the fridge after opening. There is nothing to reheat; serve it cold.

FAQ

Can you make a banana split ahead of time?

You can prep the components ahead, but you should assemble it right before serving. The banana browns and the ice cream softens quickly once everything is put together.

What kind of ice cream works best?

You can use any flavor, but firmer ice cream is easier to scoop and holds its shape longer between the banana halves. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry give you the most traditional mix.

Can you make this dairy-free?

You can, as long as you swap in dairy-free Ice cream (of your choice) and dairy-free Whipped cream. Check the topping too, since some chocolate or caramel sauces contain dairy.

How do you keep the scoops from sliding off the banana?

Use a shallow serving bowl and place the scoops directly between the two banana halves so they are supported on both sides. If the ice cream is very soft, return it to the freezer for a few minutes before scooping.