Dreamy Banana Split Sundae Recipe

Make This Dreamy Banana Split Sundae Recipe Tonight!

When summer heat strikes, a classic banana split with homemade magic becomes the ultimate sweet escape.

Refreshing banana split recipes have been delighting dessert lovers for generations.

Cool and creamy, this timeless treat combines ripe bananas with rich, velvety ice cream scoops.

Drizzles of chocolate, caramel, and strawberry sauces create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Fresh whipped cream and crunchy nuts add delightful texture to every heavenly bite.

Colorful maraschino cherries crown this nostalgic dessert, making it as beautiful as it is delicious.

Grab a spoon and prepare for a delectable journey that promises pure indulgence.

Scoop These Ingredients for a Banana Split Sundae

For Base Ingredients:
  • Banana: Choose ripe, golden bananas with soft but firm texture for perfect sweetness and easy slicing.
  • Dessert Dish or Bowl: Select a long, elegant serving plate that allows the banana to nestle comfortably and showcases the dessert beautifully.
For Decorative Ingredients:
  • Ice Cream: Pick high-quality, creamy vanilla or choose multiple flavors like chocolate and strawberry for a classic sundae experience.
  • Chocolate Sauce: Rich, smooth sauce that adds decadent drizzle and enhances overall dessert indulgence.
  • Whipped Cream: Fluffy, light topping that provides a delicate, airy contrast to the dense ice cream.
  • Maraschino Cherries: Bright red, sweet garnish that adds a pop of color and traditional sundae charm.
  • Chopped Nuts: Crunchy element like roasted peanuts or almonds for textural interest and nutty flavor.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Sprinkles: Colorful, festive topping that brings playful visual appeal and childlike joy to the sundae.
  • Additional Sauces: Optional caramel or strawberry sauce for extra flavor complexity and personalization.

Ice Cream Tools for Sundae Perfection

  • Large Dessert Dish or Bowl: Wide, elongated serving vessel perfect for displaying your banana split.
  • Sharp Knife: Essential for cleanly slicing banana lengthwise.
  • Cutting Board: Stable surface for safely preparing banana.
  • Spoon: Needed for adding and enjoying toppings.
  • Ice Cream Scoop: Helps create neat, round scoops of ice cream.

How to Build a Classic Banana Split Step-by-Step

  • Split the Banana

Grab a ripe banana and slice it elegantly down the center, creating two perfect halves that will cradle your delightful dessert.

  • Prepare the Dish

Arrange the banana halves in a long, inviting serving dish, positioning them like gentle guardians of the sweet treasure about to unfold.

  • Add Vanilla Ice Cream

Scoop generous mounds of creamy vanilla ice cream directly between the banana slices, letting them nestle comfortably in their fruity embrace.

  • Drizzle Chocolate Sauce

Cascade rich, velvety chocolate sauce over the ice cream, allowing it to create beautiful, glossy rivers that wind through the cold landscape.

  • Sprinkle Chopped Nuts

Shower the sundae with a delicate rain of crunchy, chopped nuts, adding a wonderful textural contrast to the smooth ice cream and silky sauce.

  • Crown with Whipped Cream

Top the entire creation with fluffy clouds of whipped cream, transforming your banana split into a dreamy dessert masterpiece.

  • Finish with Cherries

Place vibrant maraschino cherries on the pinnacle of your sundae, adding a pop of color and classic sweet finish to this beloved treat.

Toppings, Syrups, and Crunch Add-Ons

  • Banana Splitting Perfection: Use slightly overripe bananas for extra sweetness and easier slicing.
  • Texture Tip: Freeze banana halves for 10-15 minutes before assembling to help them hold shape better during serving.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap traditional ice cream with coconut, almond, or soy-based dairy-free alternatives for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Creative Flavor Twist: Experiment with different ice cream flavors like chocolate, strawberry, or caramel to personalize your banana split experience.
  • Kid-Friendly Hack: Let children help choose and add their favorite toppings, making dessert preparation a fun family activity.

How to Serve Up a Sundae with Style

  • Fruity Flavor Fusion: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pecans over the banana split for extra crunch and nutty richness.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Drizzle warm melted dark chocolate or milk chocolate sauce across the banana halves for intense flavor depth.
  • Berry Blast Topping: Scatter fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries around the banana split to add vibrant color and tangy sweetness.
  • Whipped Cream Wonder: Top the entire dessert with generous dollops of fresh whipped cream or vanilla-infused whipped cream for a creamy, dreamy finish.

Sundae Storage: What to Do with Extras

  • Smart Serving Strategy: Chill your dessert dish in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling to keep the banana split extra cool and refreshing.
  • Advance Prep Magic: Slice bananas and store in an airtight container with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning up to 24 hours before serving.
  • Refrigeration Know-How: Store any unused banana split components separately in sealed containers – ice cream in the freezer, sliced bananas in the fridge, and toppings in the pantry for up to 3 days.
  • Batch Preparation Trick: Create individual sundae kits by pre-scooping ice cream onto parchment-lined trays and freezing, allowing quick assembly when dessert cravings hit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 2

Print
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Dreamy Banana Split Sundae Recipe

Dreamy Banana Split Sundae Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Indulgent banana split sundae combines classic ice cream parlor nostalgia with creamy layers of flavor. Sweet bananas and rich toppings create a delightful dessert experience you can savor with pure summer joy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or your favorites)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • ¼ cup whipped cream
  • 2 tbsps chocolate syrup (or hot fudge sauce)
  • 2 tbsps strawberry sauce (or fresh sliced strawberries)
  • 2 tbsps pineapple sauce (or crushed pineapple in syrup)
  • 2 tbsps chopped nuts (peanuts, walnuts, or almonds)
  • 34 maraschino cherries
  • 1 tbsp sprinkles or mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Banana Preparation: Slice ripe banana down its center, gently separating into two symmetrical halves.
  2. Dish Arrangement: Place elongated serving dish ready to showcase the banana split with dramatic flair.
  3. Ice Cream Placement: Artfully position scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between banana segments, creating a color-rich landscape.
  4. Chocolate Embellishment: Cascade rich chocolate sauce over ice cream, allowing delectable streams to flow around banana and drip dramatically.
  5. Textural Enhancement: Scatter chopped nuts across the sundae, introducing a crisp, nutty dimension to the creamy composition.
  6. Cream and Garnish: Top the creation with billowy whipped cream and crown with vibrant maraschino cherries, completing the classic dessert profile.
  7. Serving Protocol: Present the banana split immediately, ensuring optimal temperature and visual magnificence of the frozen delicacy.

Notes

  • Choose Ripe Bananas: Select bananas that are yellow with slight brown speckles for maximum sweetness and softer texture without being mushy.
  • Control Ice Cream Temperature: Remove ice cream from freezer 2-3 minutes before scooping to achieve perfect smooth, easily shapeable consistency.
  • Layer Strategically: Arrange ice cream scoops in distinct color blocks to create visual appeal and maintain individual flavor experiences.
  • Prevent Quick Melting: Chill serving dish beforehand in refrigerator to slow down ice cream melting and maintain dessert’s structural integrity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 61 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 75 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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