Banana Split Cake (old fashioned, just the recipe)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

If you’ve been looking for your Grandma’s Banana Split Cake recipe, without having to scroll down forever just look at it, you’ve arrived!

Banana Split Cake is a creamy fruit dessert on a graham cracker crust, which evokes the flavors of that beloved ice cream parlor treat. 

By the way, if you’re searching for Banana Split Cake without cream cheese, scroll down to the tips section for how to make the substitute.  Without further ado, here’s the Banana Split Cake recipe (a more compact, printable version appears below):

Banana Split Cake Recipe: Ingredients

  • 16 oz. can of crushed pineapple, drain 
  • 1 3/4c. graham cracker crumbs 
  • 1/4c. powdered sugar 
  • 6T. melted butter 
  • 16 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 4 large, sliced bananas 
  • 1 qt. sliced strawberries 
  • 16 oz. tub of Cool Whip 
  • 1/2c. chopped walnuts 

How to Make Banana Split Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
  2. Grease 9”x13” glass baking pan 
  3. Mix graham crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into prepared pan. 
  4. Bake 15 minutes, and set aside to cool. 
  5. Blend cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar, and spread on cooked crust. 
  6. Layer on the pineapple, followed by the banana, and then the strawberries. 
  7. Spread Cool Whip over all, sprinkle with nuts, and chill overnight. 

Banana Split Cake Printable Recipe

Banana Split Cake, Old Fashioned

Banana Split Cake is a creamy fruit dessert on a graham cracker crust, which evokes the flavors of that beloved ice cream parlor treat. 
Prep Time1 day 1 hour
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time1 day 1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana split cake, banana split cake recipe, no bake banana split cake, royal coconut cookies
Servings: 24
Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. canned pineapple, drained
  • 1 3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs (10-12 crackers)
  • ¼ c. confectioners' sugar (for the crust)
  • 6 T. melted butter
  • 16 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ c. confectioners' sugar (for the filling)
  • 4 large sliced bananas
  • 1 qt. sliced strawberries
  • 16 oz. Cool Whip
  • ½ c. chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
  • Grease 9”x13” glass baking pan 
  • Mix graham crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into prepared pan. 
  • Bake 15 minutes, and set aside to cool. 
  • Blend cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar, and spread on cooked crust. 
  • Layer on the pineapple, followed by the banana, and then the strawberries. 
  • Spread Cool Whip over all, sprinkle with nuts, and chill overnight. 

Banana Split Cake Tips for Success

  • A good quality pan produces the best results. I like this American made, heirloom quality pan. It even comes with a matching lid (view here)
  • Drain pineapple thoroughly, or cake can become soggy. 
  • Minimum chilling time is 6 hours. 
  • Some prefer Banana Split Cake without cream cheese – Use two boxes of vanilla pudding, prepared as directed on the box, instead. 
  • Drizzle with chocolate syrup for an old-time, ice cream parlor touch. 
  • Go for the full effect with a half of a maraschino cherry on each serving. Split 12 cherries, dry on a paper towel, and lay them on top of your dessert in 4 rows and 6 columns. 
  • For a perfect comfort food dinner before this dessert, try my 1950s Porcupine Meatball recipe (view here).

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By Gail McGaffigan

Gail was raised in a traditional, one-income family. She and her family have been living happily on one income since 2004.