Banana Split Cake

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Servings:
12

Instead of cake and ice cream, try a birthday party dessert inspired by both. This gooey trifle overflows with layers of vanilla cake, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, bananas, and drippy chocolate sauce.

Ingredients

For the Assembly

  • Yellow Cake, baked in two 8-inch round cake pans

  • 4 large bananas, peeled and halved crosswise then lengthwise

  • ½ cup store-bought chocolate sauce, warmed

  • 1 maraschino cherry, for decorating

  • Yellow sprinkles, for decorating

  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)

For the Pudding

  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 4 large bananas, peeled and halved crosswise then lengthwise

  • ½ cup store-bought chocolate sauce, warmed

  • 1 maraschino cherry, for decorating

  • Yellow sprinkles, for decorating

  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy cream

  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Make the pudding: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Whisk together cornstarch, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk eggs in another bowl until smooth; whisk into cornstarch mixture. Set aside.

  2. Whisk together milk and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Slowly pour milk mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly.

  3. Pour mixture back into saucepan. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium-high heat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour through a sieve into a medium bowl. Whisk in butter and vanilla. Set bowl in ice-water bath, and let cool, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Pudding can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.

  4. Make the whipped cream: Put cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add confectioners' sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form.

  5. Assemble the cake: Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes level, then cut each in half horizontally, making 4 layers. Place 1 cake layer into the bottom of a straight-sided 4-quart bowl (about 8 inches in diameter and 6 inches high). Spread with 1/2 cup pudding, then with 3/4 cup whipped cream. Arrange 4 banana quarters on top; top with another cake layer. Repeat 3 times, decorating final banana layer with a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle with chocolate; top with a cherry. Sprinkle with sprinkles and nuts, if desired. Using a large spoon, divide portions among serving bowls. Serve immediately.

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