Description
Sweet banana split fluff salad combines classic dessert flavors into a creamy potluck-perfect treat. Summer gatherings will love this nostalgic, easy-to-make dessert that delivers delightful tropical and fruity notes with minimal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 1 (20 oz / 567 g) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup (175 g) maraschino cherries, halved and drained
- 1 (8 oz / 227 g) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
- 1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 2 cups (100 g) mini marshmallows
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ cup (90 g) chocolate chips (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
- Chocolate syrup (for garnish)
- Extra chopped nuts (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pudding Preparation: Whisk instant pudding mix and milk in a large bowl until smooth and slightly thickened, creating a creamy base with consistent texture.
- Whipped Fusion: Gently fold whipped topping into the pudding mixture, ensuring a light and airy consistency without deflating the delicate structure.
- Fruit Integration: Incorporate sliced bananas and crushed pineapple, stirring carefully to distribute evenly and prevent fruit from browning.
- Textural Enhancement: Blend in maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, and chocolate chips, mixing thoroughly to create a complex flavor and textural landscape.
- Chilling Process: Transfer the completed salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and mixture to set completely.
- Final Presentation: Before serving, artfully drizzle chocolate syrup over the top, garnish with additional maraschino cherries and a sprinkle of chopped nuts to evoke the classic banana split dessert aesthetic.
Notes
- Prevent Banana Browning: Toss banana slices in lemon juice to maintain their fresh, white appearance and prevent oxidation.
- Texture Control: Drain pineapple thoroughly to avoid excess liquid that could make the salad watery and compromise its creamy consistency.
- Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare the salad up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it refrigerated to allow flavors to develop and blend seamlessly.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute whipped topping with coconut cream for a dairy-free version, and use sugar-free pudding mix for a lower-sugar alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 17
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.8 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg