No bake banana split dessert layers graham cracker crust, pineapple cream cheese filling, fresh bananas and strawberries, and homemade whipped cream with a cherry on top. It has the flavor of a classic sundae in an easy, melt-free dessert you make ahead and chill.

A slice of no bake banana split dessert showing layers of graham cracker crust, pineapple cream cheese, fruit, and whipped cream.

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This Banana Split Dessert Recipe is Perfect for Serving Crowds

This banana split dessert is an old-fashioned banana split served in cake form instead of a sundae. Same flavors, no melting, no oven. Think part banana pudding, part strawberry icebox cake, layered in a 9×13 and chilled until set.

It’s one of my favorite no-bake desserts for summer and an easy one to bring to a potluck since it feeds a crowd and travels well.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredients

Ingredients for banana split dessert including graham crackers, cream cheese, crushed pineapple, bananas, strawberries, and heavy cream.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Graham cracker crust: The first layer of the no bake banana split cake is made with graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter.
  • Cream cheese filling: The filling is made with softened cream cheese that is whipped together with sugar and pineapple.
  • Strawberries and bananas: Next, sliced strawberries and bananas are placed on the the pineapple cream cheese filling.
  • Homemade whipped cream: Made with heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. You can also use homemade Cool whip or store bought whipped topping.
  • Banana split toppings: Chocolate syrup or hot fudge, chopped walnuts nuts and maraschino cherries get added to the top. Talk about a flavor party in your mouth!

How to Make Banana Split Dessert

Showing how to make the pineapple cream cheese filling and spreading it on the crust.
  1. Crust. Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar then press the crust evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13″ baking dish. Chill in the fridge to set.
  2. Filling. Using a hand mixer, mix softened cream cheese, drained pineapple and sugar. Spread on crust.
  3. Layer. Then add a layer of fresh sliced bananas and strawberries.
  4. Topping. Homemade whipped cream is the final layer. Beat together the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Then spread the whipped cream evenly on top of the fresh fruit. Chill until ready to serve.
Banana split dessert topped with whipped cream, walnuts, and a maraschino cherry in a white baking dish.

Tips for Success

  • Grease the dish well or the crust will stick to the bottom.
  • Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer first. Cold equipment helps the whipped cream form soft peaks faster and gives it a fluffier texture.
  • Soft peaks take about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you lift the beaters and the peaks curl over and slowly sink back down.
  • Reserve the drained pineapple juice and brush it on any banana slices you use as garnish to keep them from browning.
  • If strawberries poke through the whipped cream layer, cover them with garnishes.
  • Use a serving utensil sized to your slice to help each piece hold together.

Variations

  • Cool Whip: Swap the homemade whipped cream for an 8 ounce tub of thawed Cool Whip. If you do, skip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
  • Strawberry pie filling: When berries are out of season, use strawberry pie filling in place of fresh sliced strawberries.
  • Springform pan: Press the crust into a 9 inch springform pan instead of a 9×13 dish for taller, cleaner slices you can release and serve from a plate.
  • Stabilized whipped cream: If you won’t eat it all right away, stabilized whipped cream holds up better in the fridge over a couple of days.

Make Ahead and Storage

This is a great dessert to make the day before. Once the bananas are covered with the pineapple cream cheese layer and whipped cream, they’re sealed off from air and won’t brown, so you can assemble it the night before and chill until serving.

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. After that the pineapple starts to release liquid and the crust softens. For the cleanest slices and best texture, hold the chocolate syrup, nuts, and cherries until just before serving.

Freezing isn’t recommended. The fresh fruit and whipped cream change texture once thawed.

Old fashioned banana split dessert in cake pan.

Other old fashioned dessert recipes we love include this pineapple upside down cake recipe, layered pistachio pudding dessert and banana cream pie!

More Easy No-Bake Desserts

sliced banana split dessert cake

Banana Split Dessert Recipe

5 from 17 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
No bake banana split dessert is layered with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, fresh bananas, strawberries, pineapple and topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top. This cake gets devoured by everyone!
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Ingredients 

Crust

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Filling

  • 16 ounces cream cheese , softened (two 8 ounce packages)
  • 8 ounce can crushed pineapple , drained
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 16 ounces strawberries , hulled and sliced
  • 3 bananas , sliced

Topping

Optional garnishes: chocolate syrup, chopped walnuts, maraschino cherries, additional sliced bananas and strawberries

Instructions

  • Grease a 9×13" baking dish with butter or cooking spray and place a medium mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir 1 1 /2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar together. Add 1/2 cup melted butter and stir until combined. Press into the bottom of the baking dish. Place the dish in the refrigerator or freezer to help the crust set.
  • Using a hand mixer, combine 16 ounces softened cream cheese, 8 ounces drained pineapple and 1/4 cup sugar. Remove the baking dish from the freezer and spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
  • Place the banana slices evenly in a single layer on top of the cream cheese mixture. Add a strawberry slice on top of each banana slice.
  • Make whipped cream. Remove the mixing bowl and beaters from the freezer. Beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread over the strawberry and banana layer. 
  • Chill until ready to serve.
  • Garnish. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Drizzle with chocolate sauce. Then top each individual serving with a maraschino cherry. Additional banana slices and strawberry slices may also be used for garnishes. You may also choose to garnish each individual serving after it is plated.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

If you plan to use banana slices to garnish the top of the dessert, the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple can be reserved and used to deter the bananas from browning.
When serving, use a spatula or serving utensil that is the size of the piece you are serving to help hold the piece together.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 116mg, Sodium: 208mg, Potassium: 287mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 1360IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.