Description
Sweet summer memories dance through this classic banana split fluff salad, blending creamy textures with nostalgic dessert flavors. Crushed pineapple, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries create a delightful no-bake treat you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Main Ingredients:
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 1 (20 oz / 567 g) can of crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup (175 g) maraschino cherries, halved and drained
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz / 227 g) container of whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed
- 1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups (100 g) mini marshmallows
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ cup (90 g) chocolate chips (optional)
Garnish:
- Maraschino cherries
- Chocolate syrup
- Extra chopped nuts
Instructions
- Craft a velvety foundation by whisking instant pudding mix and milk in a spacious mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a silky, slightly thickened consistency, stirring vigorously for approximately two minutes.
- Tenderly incorporate whipped topping into the pudding base, using a gentle folding motion to ensure a harmonious blend without deflating the airy texture.
- Carefully introduce sliced bananas, ensuring even distribution throughout the creamy mixture to prevent browning and maintain structural integrity.
- Delicately fold in crushed pineapple, allowing the tropical fruit to intermingle with the existing ingredients, creating a vibrant flavor profile.
- Gently mix in maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts, distributing them evenly to guarantee a delightful textural experience in every spoonful.
- If desired, sprinkle chocolate chips throughout the mixture, creating unexpected pockets of rich, decadent sweetness.
- Seal the prepared salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.
- Moments before serving, embellish the chilled salad with additional maraschino cherries artfully arranged on top.
- Drizzle a luxurious stream of chocolate syrup across the surface, creating an enticing visual appeal.
- Finish with a final garnish of chopped nuts, providing a delightful crunch and paying homage to the classic banana split dessert.
Notes
- Customize the pudding flavor by swapping vanilla for banana or cheesecake instant pudding mix to enhance the banana split theme.
- Drain pineapple and cherries thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the salad watery and losing its fluffy texture.
- For a lighter version, use sugar-free pudding mix, low-fat whipped topping, and reduce the amount of chocolate chips and nuts.
- Transform this dessert into a gluten-free option by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially the pudding mix and add-ins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg