Banana Split Bars Recipe (Easy No-Bake Dessert)
Servings: 15 Servings
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 11 ounce box vanilla wafers (about 3 cups crushed)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (1 standard stick + 2 tablespoons)
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 ounces block-style cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large firm bananas thinly sliced
- ¾ cup crushed pineapple very well drained
- ½ cup halved maraschino cherries patted dry
Instructions
- Make the crust: Add the vanilla wafers, granulated sugar, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs form. With the processor running, drizzle in the melted butter until the mixture is fully combined and looks like damp sand.11 ounce box vanilla wafers, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, Pinch of salt, 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Whip the cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside.1 ½ cups heavy cream, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Make the cream cheese base: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.8 ounces block-style cream cheese, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Combine the filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined. Fold in the banana slices, maraschino cherries, and pineapple.2 large firm bananas, ½ cup halved maraschino cherries, ¾ cup crushed pineapple
- Assemble the dessert: Spoon the filling into the chilled crust and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, top with whipped topping, extra cherries, crushed vanilla wafers or chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup or chocolate curls, if desired.
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 slice assuming the bars are cut into 15 equal pieces. Actual calories will vary.
- If you don't have a food processor, use a Ziploc bag and a rolling pin to crush the vanilla wafers.
- You can swap out the homemade whipped cream for Cool Whip. Leave out the heavy cream and powdered sugar and use an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip instead.
- Make sure you drain the pineapple really well and dry the cherries. Otherwise, there will be moisture in the bars and they won't set.
- You can use a graham cracker crust, Oreo crust, or chocolate crust if preferred.
Nutrition Facts
Banana Split Bars Recipe (Easy No-Bake Dessert)
Serving Size
1 slice
Amount per Serving
Calories
358
% Daily Value*
Fat
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
15
g
75
%
Trans Fat
0.4
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
6
g
Cholesterol
62
mg
21
%
Sodium
198
mg
8
%
Potassium
136
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
32
g
11
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
21
g
23
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
806
IU
16
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
40
mg
4
%
Iron
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
