This dessert will be a hit at potlucks, birthday parties, or a fun family dinner. It’s easy to make the day before to free up your time. The best part is that it doesn’t require any baking.
No Ice Cream Needed Banana Split Cake
I remember going to our local Dairy Queen as a kid and getting treated to a banana split on special occasions. The banana split boats were filled with three mounds of their famous creamy custard, topped with strawberry, chocolate, pineapple, whipped cream, and cherries.
This no-bake banana split cake was created in the spirit of the Dairy Queen banana split boat.
All the beauty of a classic banana split, but in cake form! No need to worry about ice cream melting at the birthday party with this chilled, no-bake treat that combines all the best parts of a classic into one yummy slice.
For another one of my favorite no-bake desserts, try Cherry Delight. This classic no-bake dessert is as delicious as it is easy to make! It has a rich graham cracker crust and a rich cream cheese layer, and it is topped with canned cherry pie filling for the final, brilliant touch. Because we all need more desserts!
Here’s Your Grocery List of Ingredients
Think about all the good things that make up a banana split. We first create a sweet, buttery crust to hold it all together.
Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham Crackers: To make the base of this cake, you’ll need about 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. I used cinnamon graham crackers, but you can use plain.
- White Sugar: A touch of sweetness to bring out the rich flavor of the graham crackers.
- Butter: Melted butter acts as a binder to keep the crust together.
Cream Cheese Filling Layer
- Cream Cheese: This recipe calls for two 8-ounce packages of your favorite cream cheese. Make sure to let it soften and come to room temperature before assembly.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Whipping the cream cheese with powdered sugar makes it extra fluffy!
Sundae Topping Layers
- Frozen Whipped Topping: Use your favorite whipped topping, such as Cool Whip or a store brand. Make sure to let it thaw completely in the refrigerator before using it in this recipe.
- Bananas: You can’t have a banana split without them!
- Strawberries: Slice fresh strawberries as part of the yummy fruit layers.
- Crushed Pineapple: Crushed pineapple adds a sweet tropical flavor. Be sure to drain off all the pineapple juice.
- Maraschino Cherries: These flashy, bright red, and sweetened cherries are a must for a classic sundae! You’ll need about 15 drained Maraschino cherries.
- Crushed Peanuts: Extra texture and flavor, but can be added separately for those with allergies or who prefer to go without.
- Chocolate sauce: Technically, this is optional as a topping, but who doesn’t love a little chocolate on their banana split?
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Layered Banana Split Cake
Graham Cracker Crust
Crush Gram Crackers
- Place the graham crackers in a gallon-size ziplock bag. Seal the bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin or your hands until you have fine crumbs.
Combine Ingredients For Crust
- Melt the butter in the microwave, being careful not to overheat it.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ½ cup sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Stir well with a large spoon until thoroughly mixed.
Form The Crust
- Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form a thin crust layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
Cream Cheese Filling Layer
Mix The Filling
- Place the unwrapped block of cream cheese in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power for 30-40 seconds, checking and stirring at 20-second intervals until very soft but not warm.
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of powdered sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Tip: I like to stir it a bit with the beaters before turning it on to avoid a powder-sugar mess. Then turn to low until smooth.
Start Layering
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust.
Sunday Toppings Layer
Add Banana Layer
- Layer sliced bananas evenly spaced across the cream cheese layer.
Add Pineapple Layer
Tip: Be sure to drain the crushed pineapple well. If there is a lot of juice, your banana split cake will not layer well, aka It Will Be a Big Mess.
- Spoon drained pineapple evenly over the bananas.
Add Strawberry Layer
- Place sliced strawberries evenly on top of the crushed pineapple.
- Gently spread the softened whipped topping with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
Add Sunday Toppings
- Top with cherries and chopped nuts.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight then top with chocolate drizzle before serving if desired.
Serving Ideas
This Banana Split Cake has so many toppings built in that it’s hard to know what else to add! However, make it your own by adding your favorite sundae toppings.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup, hot fudge, caramel, or butterscotch on top.
- Make an ice cream bar with childhood favorites like crushed cookies, sprinkles (rainbow and chocolate), and mini marshmallows!
- I know I said it doesn’t need ice cream, but who’s stopping you from adding a scoop or two on the side?
How To Store Leftover Banana Split Cake
To store leftovers, I suggest leaving the dessert in the baking dish you made it in. Then, wrap the dish with tight-fitting plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to four days.
I Want To Answer Your Questions & Hear Your Comments
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
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Layered No-Bake Banana Split Cake
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
Gram Cracker Crust
- 2 cups gram crackers, about 14 whole gram crackers, cinnamon sugar, or plain
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup white sugar
Cream Cheese Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese, two 8-ounce boxes
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Sunday Toppings
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 1 ½ cup strawberries , sliced
- 15 ounces crushed pineapple , caned, drained
- 8 ounces whipped topping, Cool Whip or store brand, thawed
- 15 maraschino cherries, drained
- ⅓ cup peanuts, optional topping
- ¼ cup chocolate sauce , optional drizzle on top of the dessert
Instructions
Gram Cracker Crust
- Place the graham crackers in a gallon-size ziplock bag. Seal the bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin or your hands until you have fine crumbs.2 cups gram crackers
- Melt the butter in the microwave, being careful not to overheat it.½ cup butter
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ½ cup sugar. Stir well with a large spoon until thoroughly mixed.1/2 cup white sugar
- Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form a thin crust layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill 20 minutes.
Cream Cheese Filling
- Place the unwrapped block of cream cheese in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power for 30-40 seconds, checking and stirring at 20-second intervals until very soft but not warm.16 ounces cream cheese
- In a medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. I like to stir it a bit with the beaters before turning it on to avoid a powder-sugar mess. Then turn to low until smooth. Then, turn the mixer on high and beat for 60 seconds.1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust.
Sunday Toppings Layer
- Layer sliced bananas evenly spaced across the cream cheese layer.4 bananas
- Drain crushed pineapple, then spoon evenly over the bananas.15 ounces crushed pineapple
- Place sliced strawberries evenly on top of the crushed pineapple.1 ½ cup strawberries
- Gently spread the soften whipped topping with a spatula to cover the entire surface.8 ounces whipped topping
- Top with cherries and chopped nuts.15 maraschino cherries, ⅓ cup peanuts
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hour or overnight. Top with chocolate drizzle if desired.¼ cup chocolate sauce