No-Bake Banana Split Cake

The No-Bake Banana Split Cake is a delightful, easy-to-make dessert that captures the essence of a classic banana split without the need for an oven. This dessert is perfect for warm weather days, potlucks, and family gatherings, offering a creamy, fruity, and nutty flavor in every bite. Its layered construction, which includes a graham cracker crust, a rich cream cheese layer, fresh bananas, pineapple, whipped topping, pecans, and cherries, makes it not only delicious but also visually appealing. This cake is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to disappear quickly from the dessert table.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• A pinch of salt
• 4 bananas
• 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)
• ⅓ cup chopped pecans
• 1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, drained & patted dry with a paper towel

Preparation:

Step 1: Melt ½ cup of butter (1 stick) and blend it in a bowl with the graham cracker crumbs using a fork until the mixture is evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan to form the crust.

Step 2: Using an electric mixer, blend the remaining ½ cup (1 stick) of butter with the softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and a pinch of salt. Beat for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy. Carefully spread this cream cheese mixture over the prepared graham cracker crust.

Step 3: Slice the bananas and arrange them evenly over the cream cheese layer. Then, evenly spread the well-drained crushed pineapple on top of the bananas.

Step 4: Gently spread the Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) over the pineapple layer. Sprinkle the chopped pecans across the whipped topping, and decorate the top with maraschino cherries.

Step 5: Cover the cake and refrigerate it for at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set properly before serving.

COOKING Note:

No-bake cakes are perfect for when you want to prepare a dessert without turning on the oven, but it's important to give them enough time to set in the refrigerator to achieve the desired consistency and make them easier to cut.

Serving Suggestions:

Cut into squares and serve chilled. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle a little chocolate syrup over each piece before serving.

Tips:

• Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing for a smoother consistency.
• For a firmer crust, you can freeze the crust for about 30 minutes before adding the cream cheese layer.
• To prevent the bananas from browning, you might lightly toss them in lemon juice before arranging them on the cake.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 2-3 hours or overnight
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: This dessert is rich in calories due to the butter, cream cheese, and sugar content.
• Protein: Moderate, mainly from the cream cheese and nuts.
• Sodium: Minimal, with a small amount coming from the pinch of salt and the ingredients used in the whipped topping and cream cheese.

The No-Bake Banana Split Cake is a delicious, nostalgic dessert that brings all the flavors of a banana split into a delightful cake form. With its creamy layers, fresh fruit, and nutty topping, it's a fantastic treat that's sure to impress without the need for baking. Whether for a special occasion or a casual dessert at home, this cake offers a sweet escape to dessert lovers everywhere.