No Bake Banana Split Dessert (Banana Split Delight)
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This No Bake Banana Split Delight turns the flavors of a classic banana split into an easy layered dessert made for sharing. With a buttery graham cracker crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, fresh fruit, strawberry glaze, whipped topping, chocolate syrup, and cherries, every slice is creamy, fruity, and completely irresistible.
I make this no bake banana split dessert when I need something colorful and crowd pleasing without turning on the oven. It is especially good for summer cookouts, family gatherings, holidays, and potluck dinners because one pan serves 12 people. I have made enough layered desserts to know that giving them plenty of time to chill makes all the difference when it is time to slice them.
If you love easy dessert recipes like this one, you may also enjoy my Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Butterscotch Delight, and Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle.
Table of contents
Why I Love This No Bake Banana Split Dessert
There is a lot to love about this creamy banana split dessert:
No pineapple: Many banana split dessert recipes contain pineapple, but this version highlights fresh strawberries and strawberry glaze instead.
No oven required: This is an easy dessert to prepare when the weather is warm or the oven is already occupied.
Perfect for sharing: The recipe makes 12 generous servings, making it an excellent dessert for potlucks, cookouts, parties, and holiday meals.
Loaded with fresh fruit: Bananas and fresh strawberries balance the rich cream cheese filling and sweet strawberry glaze.
Easy to prepare ahead: I can assemble the entire dessert several hours before serving and leave it in the refrigerator until everyone is ready for dessert.
Classic banana split flavors: Chocolate syrup, whipped topping, cherries, and optional chopped nuts give every serving the fun appearance and flavor of a banana split.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This no bake layered dessert uses simple grocery store ingredients to create its crust, cheesecake filling, fruit layers, and classic banana split toppings.
- Graham cracker crumbs: These create the sweet, buttery base. You can purchase crumbs or crush whole graham crackers until finely ground.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crumbs together and helps the crust hold its shape. Salted or unsalted butter will work.
- Granulated sugar: A little sugar sweetens the graham cracker crust and gives it a more dessert like flavor.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese forms the rich cheesecake layer. Full fat cream cheese produces the creamiest and most stable filling, although reduced fat cream cheese can be used.
- Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves easily into the cream cheese and sweetens the filling without making it grainy.
- Whipped topping: Whipped topping makes the cream cheese layer light and fluffy and also creates the smooth top layer. Keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use it.
- Bananas: Fresh banana slices provide the classic banana split flavor. Choose ripe yellow bananas that are still firm and free from large brown spots.
- Fresh strawberries: Sliced strawberries add color, freshness, and a slightly tart contrast to the sweet filling. Fresh berries work better than frozen berries because they release less liquid.
- Strawberry glaze: Prepared strawberry glaze coats the berries and creates a glossy, sweet fruit layer. It is usually found in the produce section near the fresh strawberries.
- Additional whipped topping: Extra whipped topping can be added as a garnish if you want each serving to look more like a traditional banana split.
- Chocolate syrup: A drizzle of chocolate syrup adds another familiar banana split flavor. Hot fudge sauce may be used, but it should be cooled before adding it to the dessert.
- Maraschino cherries: Cherries give the finished dessert its classic sundae appearance. Drain them thoroughly before placing them on top.
- Chopped nuts: Nuts are optional, but they add a pleasant crunch. Chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts would all work well.
How to Make No Bake Banana Split Delight
This banana split dessert is assembled one layer at a time in a 9 by 13 inch dish. Allow at least four hours for the finished dessert to chill and set before serving.
Pro Tips for the Best Banana Split Dessert
- Soften the cream cheese completely before mixing it with the powdered sugar. Cold cream cheese can leave small lumps in the filling.
- Pat the strawberries dry after washing them. Excess water can loosen the strawberry glaze and make the fruit layer watery.
- Slice the bananas immediately before assembling the dessert so they remain as fresh and light in color as possible.
- My kitchen trick is to use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the dish. It creates a compact crust that holds together much better when I cut the dessert.
- Spread the cream cheese filling carefully so you do not pull up crumbs from the crust. I like to place small spoonfuls across the crust before gently connecting them into one even layer.
- Drain and blot the maraschino cherries before adding them. This prevents the red cherry juice from bleeding into the whipped topping.
- Chill the dessert longer than four hours when possible. I find that an overnight chill produces the cleanest slices.
- For a prettier presentation, wait to add the final chocolate drizzle and cherries until shortly before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this no bake banana split dessert directly from the refrigerator. It is rich enough to serve on its own, but you can add a dollop of whipped topping, an extra cherry, or another drizzle of chocolate syrup to each slice.
Banana Split Delight is a natural choice for summer cookouts, pool parties, potluck dinners, birthday celebrations, and family reunions. Its bright strawberry layer also makes it a pretty dessert for Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July.
For the cleanest servings, use a sharp knife to cut through the layers. Wipe the knife between cuts, then lift each piece from the pan with a small dessert spatula.
Recipe Variations
Add More Banana Split Toppings
Set out extra chocolate syrup, whipped topping, cherries, and chopped nuts so everyone can customize their slice.
Use a Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
Replace the regular graham cracker crumbs with chocolate graham cracker crumbs for extra chocolate flavor.
Try a Different Nut
Use chopped pecans, walnuts, or peanuts based on what your family prefers. You can also leave the nuts off completely.
Add Individual Whipped Topping Swirls
Instead of spreading additional whipped topping across the entire dessert, pipe small swirls over individual servings and place a cherry on each one.
Make Individual Banana Split Desserts
Layer the ingredients in clear dessert cups instead of one large dish. The individual portions will be softer than slices from the full chilled dessert, but they are fun for parties.
How to Store Banana Split Delight
Cover the dessert tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. The bananas will gradually soften and darken, so this dessert has the freshest appearance during the first day or two.
Keep the dessert refrigerated until you are ready to serve it. Because it contains cream cheese, whipped topping, and fresh fruit, it should not remain at room temperature for an extended period.
Frequently Asked Questions
This particular recipe does not contain pineapple. Unlike many traditional banana split cake recipes, it uses fresh strawberries and strawberry glaze as the featured fruit layer along with the bananas.
Slice the bananas just before assembling the dessert. If desired, toss them very lightly in lemon juice, but avoid using too much because excess liquid can affect the texture of the dessert.
The bananas are covered by the strawberries and glaze, which also limits their exposure to air.
Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least four hours. For cleaner, more defined layers, you can chill it overnight.
Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe. Frozen strawberries become soft as they thaw and release liquid that can make the fruit layer watery.
The cream cheese was probably too cold. Let it soften fully, then beat it with the powdered sugar until completely smooth before folding in the whipped topping.
The recipe is designed for prepared whipped topping, which remains stable during chilling. Homemade whipped cream may soften more quickly and can change how firmly the dessert sets.
You can assemble the dessert one day ahead. Although it can be refrigerated for up to three days, the fruit looks and tastes best within the first day or two.
This No Bake Banana Split Delight brings together everything I love about an easy layered dessert: a simple crust, creamy filling, fresh fruit, and plenty of fun toppings. Give it enough time to chill, serve it cold, and watch how quickly it disappears from the pan. If you try it, please leave me a comment and let me know how your family enjoyed it
No Bake Banana Split Delight
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 oz whipped topping, divided
- 3-4 bananas, sliced
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
- 13 oz strawberry glaze
- Additional whipped topping, if desired
- Chocolate syrup
- Maraschino cherries
- Chopped nuts, optional
Directions
- In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Chill while preparing the next layer.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 8 oz whipped topping until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over the crust.
- Layer sliced bananas evenly over the cream layer. If desired, toss bananas lightly in lemon juice to reduce browning.
- Add a layer of sliced fresh strawberries over the bananas. Spoon strawberry glaze over the strawberries and spread gently to cover.
- Spread 8 oz whipped topping over the top layer.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with chopped nuts, if using. Top with maraschino cherries.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Slice bananas just before assembling for best color.
- Chill longer for cleaner slices.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
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More Easy Layered Desserts to Try
If you love creamy desserts made for sharing, do not stop with this Banana Split Delight. Browse these easy layered desserts for more potluck favorites filled with fruit, fluffy fillings, and irresistible toppings.
