Saturday, July 27, 2024

Layered Banana Split 

Five different layers, each with a wonderful flavor, will make this Banana Split Lasagna as mouth-watering as can be. This dessert lasagna recipe is incredibly easy to make, thanks in part to the fact that there’s no baking involved. All of the flavors you love about a classic banana split (banana, strawberries, pineapple, and chocolate, for instance) are combined into this layered dessert. This make-ahead layered dessert can be made the night before your next potluck or other get-together. There is no denying this no bake dessert will be a hit with any crowd!

The only hard part about making this dessert is just waiting for it to chill enough in your refrigerator! This Test Kitchen treat is a definite must-make. It’s got five layers of refreshing and sweet flavors that come together to create one delectable dessert. Creamy and decadent, this will be one recipe you won’t be able to resist!

Ingredients:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons 3 1/2 cups cold milk, divided
16 ounces Cool Whip topping, divided
1 (23-ounce) container of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and drained well
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
2 (3.4 ounce) boxes of banana cream pudding instant pudding
Chocolate syrup
Maraschino cherries (optional, but encouraged!)
Nuts (optional)

Instructions:

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir the mixture until it’s evenly moist. Then, dump the crumbs into your baking dish and press them into an even layer. Then, place the baking dish into your refrigerator until you’ve prepared your next layer.
In another medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, 2 T of milk, and vanilla with a hand mixer on a medium speed. Mix together until fluffy and light. Then, using a rubber spatula, completely mix in 8 ounces of the Cool Whip. Once the mixture is completely combined, remove your baking dish from your refrigerator and evenly spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.
Pour your drained strawberries and pineapple on top of the cream cheese mixture and spread it evenly. It doesn’t matter which fruit you put in first.
Mix the two boxes of banana cream instant pudding with 3 1/2 cups of cold milk. Whisk for a few minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Then, use a rubber spatula to spread the pudding over the fruit layer. Let the dessert sit for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up a bit more.
Spread the remaining 8 ounces of Cool Whip over the top of the dessert as evenly as possible. Drizzle (or pour, your choice) the chocolate syrup on top of the Cool Whip layer. Allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving or overnight.