If you’re looking to bring sunshine and smiles to your table, this No Bake Banana Split Cake is the dazzling dessert you need. Inspired by the classic ice cream treat, this cake has layers of creamy, fruity, nutty goodness, built over a buttery graham cracker crust—all with zero oven time! With sweet bananas, tangy pineapple, fluffy whipped topping, and a crown of cherries and peanuts, each bite brings sheer delight. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just want to relive some childhood nostalgia, the No Bake Banana Split Cake is always a crowd-pleaser that’s as easy as it is irresistible.

No Bake Banana Split Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of No Bake Banana Split Cake lies in its simplicity! Each ingredient brings its own flair—crunch, creaminess, or a pop of color and flavor. Here’s what you’ll gather and a little on why you won’t want to skip any:

Graham cracker crumbs: These create the sturdy, buttery crust that holds everything together, adding a sweet, toasty crunch.
White sugar: Mixed into the crust, it boosts the graham cracker’s sweetness and helps bind it all.
Unsalted butter (melted): This is the secret sauce for a crust that’s rich and never crumbly.
Cream cheese (softened): Silky smooth and tangy, this forms the first creamy layer—don’t rush the softening step for max spreadability!
Powdered sugar: Bringing gentle, balanced sweetness to the cream cheese, it also helps with that perfect silky texture.
Bananas (sliced): Naturally sweet, they add soft richness and sunny, tropical flavor right in the center.
Crushed pineapple (drained): Make sure to drain it well—this gives juicy, citrusy brightness without watering down your cake.
Frozen whipped topping (thawed): Light, fluffy, and easy to spread, it’s the cloud-like top layer everyone loves.
Peanuts (coarsely chopped): For a little crunch and a salty balance to all that sweetness.
Maraschino cherries (drained): The classic finishing touch—bright, sweet, and oh-so-festive!

How to Make No Bake Banana Split Cake

Step 1: Make the Graham Cracker Crust

Begin by pulsing the graham crackers in a food processor until they’re fine crumbs—think sand at the beach, not the playground. Stir together the crumbs with white sugar and melted butter in a large bowl. Once the mixture looks like wet, slightly chunky sand, press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pop it into the fridge to chill while you move on—the cold crust will hold up best to those luscious layers.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until it’s completely silky and smooth. Spread this fluffy, tangy mixture over your chilled graham cracker crust. This layer provides that craveable cheesecake bite right in the heart of your No Bake Banana Split Cake.

Step 3: Layer on the Bananas and Pineapple

Time for that fruity main event! Spread the sliced bananas out in an even layer across the cream cheese, then follow with a layer of the well-drained crushed pineapple. Each bite should have some of both, so don’t be shy about spreading it right to the edges.

Step 4: Add the Whipped Topping

Next, open up your tub of thawed whipped topping and spread it generously over all the fruit, covering the entire surface. This fluffy snowy layer is what gives the No Bake Banana Split Cake its signature ice-cream-parlor flair.

Step 5: Sprinkle with Peanuts and Cherries

To finish, scatter coarsely chopped peanuts and arrange the maraschino cherries over the whipped topping. Go for artful or haphazard—it’s all about fun. The cherries are the jewel-like touch that make this cake sparkle.

Step 6: Chill and Serve!

Refrigerate the finished cake until it’s thoroughly chilled—at least a couple of hours helps it set and makes slicing neat and easy. Serve your No Bake Banana Split Cake cold, straight from the fridge, and watch every forkful disappear!

How to Serve No Bake Banana Split Cake

Garnishes

This cake is a showstopper with just its classic toppings, but a finishing flourish never hurts! Try a light dusting of cocoa powder, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, a handful of extra nuts, or even rainbow sprinkles for party-time pizzazz. Each slice can be served with an extra cherry on top, just like the classic sundae.

Side Dishes

No Bake Banana Split Cake pairs beautifully with fresh seasonal berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For a lighter touch, serve with iced coffee, lemonade, or sparkling water with a wedge of lemon to balance all the sweetness. If you’re making it for a summer party, a fruit salad makes a cheerful and bright companion.

Creative Ways to Present

For an elegant touch, cut the cake into squares and serve on individual plates with a piped swirl of whipped cream. Or, for a family-style presentation, set the entire dish in the center of the table and let everyone dig in. You can even layer individual portions in glass jars for a picnic or birthday party—super cute and portable! The possibilities for presenting No Bake Banana Split Cake are as limitless as your creativity.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, keep them covered in the fridge. The No Bake Banana Split Cake can stay fresh for up to three days—just be aware that the bananas may brown a bit over time. For best texture, use an airtight container or wrap the whole dish tightly with plastic wrap.

Freezing

While this dessert is best enjoyed fresh and cold from the fridge, you can freeze it if you need to prepare way ahead of time. Wrap the cake well, cover in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to a month. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving—just remember the bananas might get softer after thawing.

Reheating

There’s actually no need to reheat No Bake Banana Split Cake (yay for “no bake”!)—in fact, it tastes best when served cold. Simply slice and enjoy straight from the fridge. If bringing it to a picnic or potluck, keep it chilled in a cooler with ice packs for food safety.

FAQs

Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping?

Absolutely! Fresh whipped cream works beautifully, just make sure to whip it to stiff peaks so it holds up as a layer. Use about the same amount as the recipe calls for frozen topping.

Can I substitute the graham cracker crust?

Yes, you can swap out graham crackers for vanilla wafer crumbs, chocolate cookies, or even a pretzel crust for a salty twist. Just keep the ratios similar for best results.

How do I prevent bananas from browning?

If you want to keep your banana slices looking their best, you can lightly brush them with lemon juice before layering them into the cake. This slows down the browning process without affecting the flavor much.

Can I make No Bake Banana Split Cake ahead of time?

This cake is a great make-ahead dessert! Prepare it up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. It actually gets even more flavorful as the layers chill together.

Is it necessary to use maraschino cherries?

While maraschino cherries contribute to the nostalgic look and flavor, you can substitute with fresh cherries, strawberries, or another favorite fruit topping if you prefer. Customize freely to suit your taste.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited to try this No Bake Banana Split Cake as I am to share it! It’s the perfect dessert for keeping things easy, cool, and downright delicious—no oven required. Whether you make it for a gathering or just as a fun family treat, it’s sure to become a new favorite.