Sunday, May 25, 2008

Banana Split "Cake"

Usually, I am a firm believer that if a dessert does not contain chocolate it's just not worth eating. This "cake" however, proved to the exception to my rule. It is so freaking good. Trust me, I had three servings and had to stop myself from going back for a fourth. I'm actually trying to talk myself out of eating it for breakfast right now, if we're being honest. A graham cracker crust is layered with sweetened cream cheese, crushed pineapple, banana slices, vanilla pudding and whipped topping then covered in nuts. It's cool and sweet and perfect for a summer barbecue. I brought it to a cookout hosted by a friend of Joe's from poetry class (hi, Wilbur, thanks for having us!) and everyone enjoyed it. I'm thinking I'll make it next weekend for another cookout - it's a winner! The recipe is from the summer issue of the Kraft Food & Family magazine.

Banana Split Cake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
6 medium bananas, divided (I only used four - I didn't put any on top)
2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling (I used French Vanilla)
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
1 cup pecans, chopped

MIX crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter; press firmly onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Freeze 10 min.
BEAT cream cheese and remaining 3/4 cup sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread carefully over crust; top with pineapple. Slice 4 of the bananas; arrange over pineapple.


POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping; spread over banana layer in pan. Top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 5 hours. Slice remaining 2 bananas just before serving; arrange over dessert. Store any leftover dessert in refrigerator.

5 comments:

Annie said...

Mmmm, this looks really delicious! It does look perfect for a cookout.

Rachelle S said...

Oooh, I was eyeballing this recipes in the magazine as well. Maybe for a summer treat.

Kelly said...

I agree with your chocolate/ dessert comment, but I might just have to try this one! It looks awesome.

Amber said...

It looks wonderful. You could totally add chocolate to this recipe. Just grate some chocolate over the top with the nuts.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Just found your blog. Very nice recipes and pictures!