A perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth and celebrate a special occasion, the Banana Split Dessert Cake is a fun and decadent take on the classic banana split sundae. This cake brings together all the iconic flavors—banana, chocolate, and vanilla—layered with a creamy, dreamy texture that will have everyone coming back for seconds. With a blend of cake, ice cream flavors, and toppings, it’s a refreshing dessert that’s easy to customize. Plus, it makes for a stunning presentation at any party!
History
The origin of the Banana Split is often traced back to 1904 at a pharmacy counter in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist, created the dessert to attract college students, serving it in a long dish with banana, ice cream, and toppings. This dessert quickly became a nationwide sensation, with different variations popping up across the country. The Banana Split Dessert Cake is a more modern interpretation, turning the beloved sundae into a layered cake dessert that’s just as indulgent but in cake form.
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 box of yellow cake mix (or homemade recipe)
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting and layers:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the toppings:
1 cup chocolate syrup
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, halved
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 ripe bananas, sliced
Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, mashed bananas, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.
Prepare the Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and mix.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake:
Place one of the cooled cakes on a serving platter. Spread a layer of frosting evenly over the top.
Top with a few sliced bananas, crushed pineapple, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Place the second cake on top and repeat the frosting, topping with more sliced bananas, chocolate syrup, and maraschino cherries.
Chill and Serve:
Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish the top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of walnuts if desired.
Methods
Layering: The key to making this dessert truly indulgent is in the layers. Carefully layering the cake with the frosting, fruits, and syrup ensures each bite has a perfect mix of textures and flavors. Refrigerating it helps the layers set and makes cutting much easier.
Chilling: Chilling the assembled cake is crucial to ensure the frosting firms up and the flavors blend, making it easier to slice and serve.
Customizing: Feel free to add extra toppings such as chocolate chips, more fruits, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a truly indulgent treat.
Benefits
Bananas: Rich in potassium, bananas help maintain heart health and regulate blood pressure.
Nutrient-Rich Toppings: Pineapple adds vitamin C and antioxidants, while walnuts provide healthy fats and protein.
Balanced Dessert: The combination of bananas, fruits, and a light frosting offers a delicious mix of carbs, fats, and proteins, making it a satisfying treat when enjoyed in moderation.
Bananas
Potassium Boost: Bananas are a great source of potassium, a mineral that helps maintain healthy heart function, regulate blood pressure, and support muscle function.
Digestive Health: Bananas contain dietary fiber, which aids digestion and can help prevent constipation. They are also gentle on the stomach and are often recommended for those with digestive discomfort.
Energy Source: With their natural sugars (fructose), bananas provide a quick and easily digestible energy boost.
Pineapple
Vitamin C: Pineapple is packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system, helps skin repair, and supports the production of collagen.
Anti-inflammatory: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce swelling or soreness.
Digestive Aid: Bromelain also assists with digestion by breaking down proteins and supporting the body’s natural digestive enzymes.
Maraschino Cherries
Rich in Antioxidants: Though they are typically sweetened, maraschino cherries still offer a small amount of antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and oxidative stress in the body.
Low in Calories: Maraschino cherries are relatively low in calories and can be a lighter topping option for those mindful of calorie intake
Whipping Cream & Cream Cheese
Calcium & Protein: While they should be enjoyed in moderation, the dairy ingredients in the frosting (whipping cream and cream cheese) provide calcium, which supports bone health, and protein, which helps repair and build muscle.
Healthy Fats: The fats in the cream cheese and whipping cream contribute to satiety, helping you feel full after a small serving of this dessert.
Chocolate Syrup
Mood-Boosting: Chocolate contains small amounts of compounds like theobromine and phenylethylamine, which are known to boost mood and promote the release of endorphins, the body’s “feel-good” hormones.
Antioxidants: Dark chocolate (if used in the syrup) contains antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress
Walnuts
Healthy Fats: Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health, reducing inflammation, and promoting heart health.
Protein and Fiber: These nuts also provide protein and fiber, both of which aid in maintaining healthy muscles and promoting satiety, making you feel fuller for longer.
Rich in Antioxidants: Walnuts contain antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Overall Benefits
Balanced Nutrients: While indulgent, the cake offers a combination of carbohydrates (from bananas and cake), healthy fats (from walnuts and cream cheese), and protein (from dairy), which makes it a more balanced dessert option than other heavily sugar-laden sweets.
Antioxidant-Rich: Ingredients like pineapple, walnuts, and chocolate syrup add antioxidants, which can help combat the effects of aging, support the immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Mood-Boosting: The dessert’s rich flavors, from chocolate to fruit, can trigger the release of endorphins, providing a natural mood lift.
Digestive Benefits: With the addition of bananas, pineapple, and fiber from the cake, the dessert supports digestive health and can contribute to a more balanced gut.
While Banana Split Dessert Cake is a treat best enjoyed in moderation, it does offer some positive nutritional benefits from the ingredients used, making it a more guilt-free indulgence compared to many other desserts.
Nutrition
Calories: About 350-400 calories per serving (depends on the size of the slice)
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 45g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 35g (from natural sugars in fruits and added sweeteners)
Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 18-22g
Saturated Fat: 8-10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 40-50mg
Sodium: 150-200mg
Total Carbohydrates: 45-50g
Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
Sugars: 35-40g
Protein: 3-4g
Vitamin A: 6-8% DV
Vitamin C: 10-15% DV
Calcium: 6-8% DV
Iron: 4-6% DV
Breakdown of Nutrients
Calories: The dessert is relatively high in calories, mostly coming from the cake mix, frosting, chocolate syrup, and toppings. While it’s an indulgence, the calories are balanced between sugars and healthy fats.
Total Fat: A significant portion of the fat comes from the whipped cream, cream cheese, and walnuts. These fats are mostly from dairy (saturated) and nuts (healthy fats).
Carbohydrates: The majority of the carbs come from the cake, bananas, pineapple, and sugars in the frosting and toppings. Bananas and pineapple contribute some natural sugars, while the chocolate syrup and frosting add refined sugars.
Sugars: The sugar content is on the higher side, mainly from the fruit (bananas, pineapple) and added sugars in the frosting and chocolate syrup. The sugars from fruit offer some natural sweetness and nutrients, but it’s a dessert with a notable amount of added sugars.
Protein: The protein comes from the dairy products (cream cheese and whipped cream) and the nuts (walnuts). While not a high-protein dessert, it does contain small amounts of protein to help balance the carbs and fat.
Vitamins & Minerals:
Vitamin C: The pineapple and bananas provide a healthy dose of vitamin C, supporting immune health and skin repair.
Calcium: The dairy ingredients contribute calcium, which is essential for bone health.
Iron: The walnuts and chocolate syrup provide small amounts of iron, which helps with oxygen transport in the blood.
The Banana Split Dessert Cake offers a mix of essential nutrients, including potassium from bananas, vitamin C from pineapple, healthy fats from walnuts, and calcium from dairy. However, due to its higher sugar content and rich frosting, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a regular indulgence.
By balancing indulgence with some nutritional value, it provides a delicious, satisfying dessert that can still offer a few health benefits when eaten in moderation
Conclusion
The Banana Split Dessert Cake is a fun and fabulous way to enjoy the flavors of a classic banana split in a cake form. It’s perfect for celebrations, family gatherings, or even a special treat for yourself! With a rich blend of banana, chocolate, and vanilla, this dessert is sure to please any crowd. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste. Try this recipe, and you’ll fall in love with it!
Lovers of This Dessert
This dessert is perfect for those who love:
Banana splits: If you’re a fan of the original banana split sundae, this cake will bring those same sweet, fruity, and creamy flavors to your table in a new way.
Layered cakes: Those who enjoy multi-layered cakes will appreciate the texture and contrast of the fluffy frosting, juicy fruit, and cake.
Decadent desserts: This indulgent treat offers a balance of flavors and textures, making it a favorite among dessert lovers.