Banana Split Cake

Written by
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Kristina Vanni
Updated 08/15/19
Banana Split Cake

 Kristina Vanni
  • Total: 105 mins
  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 75 mins

Imagine all the flavors you love from a classic, ice cream shop banana split in the form of a cake. If you dream of sliced banana piled high with scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, and topped with chocolate syrup and chopped nuts, then this cake is for you. In this recipe, the iconic sundae has been transformed into a beautiful tube cake that can be prepared in advance and then sliced and served to guests at your next family gathering. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about it melting!

First, mashed ripe bananas are incorporated in a moist and delicious banana cake batter. Then layers of berry flavored cake and decadent chocolate cake mimic the signature dessert. Finally, the cake is topped with a drizzle of chocolate icing and sprinkled with chopped walnuts. Of course, you can certainly serve this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whatever you do, don’t forget to serve this Banana Split Cake with a cherry! 

Ingredients

  • Banana Cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting pan
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup strawberry or raspberry preserves
  • 3 drops red food coloring (optional)
  • 2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, divided use
  • Chocolate Icing:
  • 1 ounce semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Garnish:
  • Maraschino cherries

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Banana Split Cake ingredients
     Kristina Vanni

  2. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan; set aside.

    Banana Split Cake pan
     Kristina Vanni

  3. Cream sugar and 1 cup butter together in large bowl with an electric mixer.

    Banana Split Cake butter and sugar
    Kristina Vanni 

  4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

    Banana Split Cake eggs
    Kristina Vanni 

  5. Combine mashed banana with sour cream, milk, and vanilla; set aside.

    Banana Split Cake mashed bananas
     Kristina Vanni

  6. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. (Be sure to always measure flour using the spoon and sweep method.)

    Banana Split Cake dry ingredients
     Kristina Vanni

  7. Add to creamed mixture alternately with the banana mixture, beating until well-blended.

    Banana Split Cake incorporating ingredients
     Kristina Vanni

  8. Put 1 cup of the batter into a small bowl; stir in the preserves and food coloring; set aside.

    Banana Split Cake berry
     Kristina Vanni

  9. Put another 1 cup of the vanilla batter into a different bowl, stir in the melted and cooled chocolate and 1/4 cup of the walnuts; set aside.

    Banana Split Cake chocolate
    Kristina Vanni 

  10. Spoon half of the remaining plain batter into the prepared tube pan.

    Banana Split Cake first layer
     Kristina Vanni

  11. Spoon the strawberry batter over the plain batter and smooth the top.

    Banana Split Cake berry layer
     Kristina Vanni

  12. Top with the chocolate batter and carefully smooth over.

    Banana Split Cake chocolate layer
     Kristina Vanni

  13. Top with the remaining plain batter and carefully smooth over. Bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a tester inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes on wire rack, then remove from pan and cool completely on rack.

    Banana Split Cake final layer
     Kristina Vanni

  14. For the chocolate icing: In a small pan over low heat, melt together the 1 ounce of chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter until just melted. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon water until it is smooth and glossy.

    Banana Split Cake icing ingredients
     Kristina Vanni

  15. Drizzle immediately over the cooled cake and sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts.

    Banana Split Cake with icing
     Kristina Vanni

  16. Slice and serve topped with maraschino cherries and enjoy!