Classic Banana Split

By Melissa Clark

Published June 21, 2023

Classic Banana Split
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(98)
Comments
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The key to a great banana split is a combination of textures and temperatures. There’s the velvety cold ice cream, the pleasingly sticky hot fudge and the crunchy wet walnuts (here, made with maple syrup and honey), all nestled in a sliced ripe banana and topped with whipped cream. You can use any ice cream flavors you like: classics like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, or get creative with your favorite varieties — maybe even a scoop or two of fruity sorbet. Naturally, banana splits are meant to be split between two (or three) people, so find some friends to share the sweetness.

Featured in: The Best Summer Desserts Are the Classics

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

    For the Walnuts

    • 1cup/115 grams walnut halves
    • ¼cup/59 milliliters maple syrup
    • ¼cup/59 milliliters honey
    • Pinch of fine sea salt

    For the Hot Fudge Sauce

    • ⅔cup/158 milliliters heavy cream
    • ¼cup/50 grams packed light brown sugar
    • 3tablespoons honey
    • 1½tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
    • Pinch of fine sea salt
    • 3½ounces/100 grams bittersweet chocolate
    • 1tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed
    • ½teaspoon vanilla extract, or ½ tablespoon brandy or rum

    For Assembly

    • 2bananas, halved lengthwise and peeled
    • 2pints ice cream, any flavors
    • Whipped cream, for serving
    • Cherries, for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

683 calories; 40 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 10 grams polyunsaturated fat; 82 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 70 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 135 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prepare the walnuts: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread walnut halves evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until nuts smell toasted and are slightly darker in color. Transfer to a rack to cool.

  2. Step 2

    In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, honey and salt. Add nuts (it’s OK if they are still hot) and stir to combine.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the fudge: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, sugar, honey, cocoa and salt to a simmer, whisking until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the chocolate and let cook until the chocolate melts, about 2 minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla (or liquor). Let cool slightly. Serve warm, not piping hot. If the fudge sauce begins to separate, vigorously whisk in 1 tablespoon hot water. Fudge sauce can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in the fridge. Gently reheat before serving.

  5. Step 5

    Line a banana split bowl or other bowl with the banana halves. Top with scoops of ice cream, hot fudge and walnut sauce. Cover with whipped cream. Top with a cherry, if you like. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5
98 user ratings
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Comments

Hubert

Some rules must be obeyed. Cherries are not optional on a banana split.

Heidi

I would be sorely disappointed if a banana split came with only hot fudge. I’m used to three scoops (they can all be vanilla), three toppings (chocolate, strawberry, pineapple), whipped cream, nuts (wet or dry) and cherries.

IvanB

Split? The bananas mat be split but the sundae ain't. It's all mine!

1234iloveicecreamgimmemore

In my personal opinion a banana splint needs to have 2 scoops of chocolate one vanilla chocolate and marshmallow sauce whipped cream sprinkles and a cherry ( I personally don’t like strawberry ice cream and nuts)

Heather Campbell

This recipe should be called something else, because it is certainly not a Classic Banana Split. That should be built as follows: In a long oval dish: 1 ripe banana split lengthwise Vanilla ice cream with pineapple sauce Strawberry ice cream/strawberry sauce (or crushed strawberries) Chocolate ice cream/fudge sauce An excess of real whipped cream Crushed toasted nuts At least one cherry on top. I’m not saying it is the best way, but it is the classic.

Ellen Tabor

I don't like fruit in my desserts except for bananas, lemons and the cherry on top, so my toppings would be chocolate, caramel and dulce de leche. Or more chocolate. I might throw on chopped walnuts. I don't need the whipped cream but that is a minority opinion. I am definitely not sharing. Get your own!

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