In the old days a Banana Split was a total treat. The lovely sweetness of the ice cream, the whipped cream and chocolate sauce was an overload. It was however masked by the bananas and cherries but this was a dessert everybody looked forward to. It is so easy to prepare and takes a matter of minutes from start to finish.
Depending on who is eating them, this is a lovely sharing dish. If you don’t have cherries then grapes have a lovely pop which goes well. While I use chocolate sauce on my banana split, strawberry, raspberry and even mint or lemon work well. You can now even purchase bubble gum flavour ice cream syrup.
I like to start with bananas that are ripe but still firm. They should have plenty of flavour without becoming too soft when sliced. Then comes the enjoyable part, arranging the ice cream between the banana halves and adding the toppings. There is no cooking to worry about. However, prepare your ingredients first, as the ice cream can soften quickly once it reaches the plate.
The beauty of this dessert is how easily you can make it your own. Vanilla gives you a classic base, while chocolate adds a deeper flavour and strawberry brings a bright fruity note. A scoop of mint chocolate chip can make the dessert feel completely different. Likewise, caramel sauce, nuts or fresh berries can bring texture.
For me, the toppings are where the real fun begins. A generous spoonful of whipped cream creates a soft contrast to the cold ice cream, while crushed peanuts provide a welcome crunch. The cherries add their familiar sweet finish. For children, place the toppings in small bowls and let everyone build their own version.
Although a banana split is usually thought of as a dessert, it can also work as a special afternoon treat. It is quick enough for an unexpected craving, yet impressive enough to finish a relaxed dinner. Most importantly, it does not need complicated equipment or specialist ingredients.
Presentation matters too. Use a long dish if you have one, or choose a shallow bowl that gives the bananas and ice cream plenty of room. Add the sauces in thin drizzles rather than covering everything at once. Each spoonful offers fruit, cream, ice cream and sauce. Serve it immediately, grab a spoon and enjoy the pleasure of a dessert that has remained popular for generations.
Banana Split
Ingredients
- 1 large banana ripe
- 3 scoops ice cream see Note
- 15 ml strawberry syrup
- 15 ml chocolate syrup
- 10 g peanuts crushed
- 3 large cherries with stems
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Peel the banana and slice in half lengthways.1 large banana
- Place the 3 scoops of ice cream along the centre of a dish and place one half of the banana on each side.3 scoops ice cream
- Add the whipped cream over the ice cream followed by a drizzle of the ice cream syrups/sauces.15 ml strawberry syrup, Whipped cream, 15 ml chocolate syrup
- Finally add the cherries and a sprinkle of the crushed peanuts.10 g peanuts, 3 large cherries
- Serve immediately and enjoy.