Go Bananas: It’s National Banana Split Day!

Jump to Recipe

Clear your calendars, cancel your kale smoothies, and grab a spoon—because August 25th is National Banana Split Day, and this holiday is not about moderation. It’s about bananas. And ice cream. And whipped cream. And cherries. Basically, it’s about happiness in a dish. The King of Sundaes invites you to join him for this special occasion!🍌🍨🎉

A Scoop of History (with Sprinkles) ✨

Back in 1904, a young apprentice pharmacist named David Strickler decided that life was too short for boring sundaes. So, he did what any genius would do—he cut a banana in half, shoved in three scoops of ice cream, and buried it under enough toppings to make your dentist cry.

It cost a whopping 10 cents at the time (double the price of a normal sundae), but people lined up anyway. Because who could say no to banana drama served in a boat-shaped dish? Not us.

And just like that, the banana split sailed into dessert legend.

The Classic Banana Split Recipe 🍒

Here’s how to celebrate the OG way:

Classic Banana Split

The king of ice cream sundaes—a glorious tower of bananas, scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry on top.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Share Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Banana (ripe but not floppy—nobody likes a floppy banana)
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream (Make your own with this recipe!)
  • 1 scoop Chocolate Ice Cream
  • 1 scoop Strawberry Ice Cream
  • Chocolate Syrup
  • Pineapple Topping (because apparently this was David's idea of a good time)
  • Crushed Nuts (optional)
  • 1 Cherry On Top (Maraschino or Fresh)

Strawberry Topping

  • 1 Pound Fresh, Washed, Diced Strawberries
  • 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

Whipped Cream

Instructions
 

  • Split personality: Slice that banana lengthwise and lay it down in your fanciest long dish (or, you know, whatever bowl you can find).
  • Scoop it: Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry—line ‘em up like ice cream royalty.
  • Get saucy:
    Chocolate on vanilla
    Strawberry on strawberry
    Pineapple on chocolate
    (This was how David did it, but you can do your own thing, get creative!)
  • Crown it: Pile on the whipped cream like you’re building a tower to dessert heaven.
  • Bling it up: Sprinkle nuts, add cherries, and bask in the glory of your masterpiece.
  • Feeling extra? Try these twists:
    Salted Caramel Swagger – Swap sauces for caramel drizzle and a pinch of sea salt.
    Nutella Nirvana – Because Nutella belongs everywhere, even here.
    Tropical Escape – Mango sorbet, coconut flakes, and a paper umbrella.
    Cookie Butter Bliss - Drizzle warm cookie butter over your scoops and scatter a few speculoos cookie crumbles on top. It’s like wrapping your sundae in a cinnamon-spiced blanket of deliciousness.
  • To make your own strawberry topping:
    Combine diced strawberries (1 pound) with granulated sugar (1/4 Cup) (try coconut sugar or date sugar for a healthier twist) and mix well. Cover bowl and refrigerate until you're ready to add it on top.
  • To make your own whipped cream:
    Place bowl of stand mixer (OR mixing bowl, preferably metal) in the freezer for 10 min. 
    Remove from freezer and add:
    Heavy whipping cream (1 1/2 Cups)
    Powdered sugar (1/2 Cup)
    Vanilla extract (1 tsp)
    Using hand mixer or stand mixer, beat ingredients on low speed, gradually increasing speed to high and beat until cream reaches a thick, billowy consistency.
    So this August 25th, whether you’re building a banana split for yourself, your friends, or your alter ego who only comes out for dessert, remember:🍌 Life is short.🍦 Ice cream melts.🍒 Always take the cherry.
Keyword banana split, bananas, cherries, chocolate chips, cream, dessert, frozen custard, ice cream, strawberries, sundae, toppings, vanilla

Related posts:

  1. Homemade Vanilla Sugar (3 Ways) Not many recipes can outrank vanilla sugar in terms of amazing flavor combined with the...
  2. Banana Cream Cupcakes This cream-filled cupcake recipe is bananas! Bananas are one of the most versatile foods in...
  3. Brûlée Banana Split Do you have a special place from your childhood that your mind wanders to from...
  4. Frozen Vanilla Custard Frozen Vanilla Custard: The Creamiest Scoop of Summer Ice cream may get all the glory,...
  5. Angel Food Cake Be An Angel Day: Be Sweet, Do Good, Eat Cake Mark your calendars: August 22nd is Be An...
  6. Skyscraper Day: Celebrate Concrete and Cronuts September 3rd is Skyscraper Day! To celebrate, we're honoring the city that invented skyscrapers and its...