No-Bake Banana Split Cake
A quick and easy no-bake dessert combining layers of ripe bananas, fresh strawberries, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and crunchy cookies, all drizzled with chocolate syrup to evoke the classic banana split experience. Perfect for busy days, gatherings, and those looking for a luscious treat without using the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free Optional
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 3–4 ripe but firm bananas, sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
- Optional garnish: maraschino cherries
Pudding and Toppings
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk (for pudding)
- 2 cups whipped topping
- Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
Crunchy Layers
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding mixture: Whisk the vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until thickened following the package instructions. This creamy base adds richness and binds the layers.
- Arrange the fruit and cookie layers: Slice bananas and strawberries thinly. Neatly layer them in your serving dish, then sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or cookies over the fruit for crunch.
- Add the pudding and whipped topping: Spoon the prepared pudding evenly over the fruit and cookie layer. Follow with a generous layer of whipped topping to balance the textures.
- Repeat the layers: Continue layering bananas, strawberries, cookies, pudding, and whipped topping until all ingredients are used, finishing with whipped topping on top.
- Garnish and chill: Drizzle chocolate syrup on top and sprinkle with chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, or extra fruit slices. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let flavors meld and set.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm bananas to avoid sogginess.
- Keep pudding and whipped topping chilled for best texture.
- For enhanced flavor, chill the cake overnight.
- Use a clear glass dish to showcase the layers elegantly.
- Don’t skip the chocolate drizzle for the authentic banana split taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8th of cake)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: banana split, no-bake cake, easy dessert, fruit dessert, creamy dessert, layered cake, summer dessert, gluten free option, quick dessert
Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/no-bake-banana-split-cake/