The perfect make-ahead dessert for your next gathering, these Individual No-Bake Banana Split Cakes will be a delicious hit.
I have been making a version of this cake for the past 20 years. However, I’ve always made it in a 9 x 13 pan. I finally decided to streamline the recipe and serve it in individual portions. Since this cake was always something I would normally make for a party, it just made more sense to put it together this way. It’s so much easier to serve. And cuter too.
Nothing falls apart, it tastes great and believe it or not, it’s not overly sweet. The oven also never goes on!
This cake gets a walnut crust just because it tastes so much better…more complex. The crust does not need baking, chilling it in the refrigerator keeps it all intact. If you have a nut allergy you could make a graham cracker crust using the same method. It works well too.
I bought this little wooden tamper originally to make my amazing mojitos. However, I find I use this tool for so many baking and cooking projects as well. It worked especially well flattening the crusts in the bottom of the glasses.
Perfect for all your summer entertaining!
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Individual No-Bake Banana Split Cakes
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1-3/4 cups walnuts
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Fillings:
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained but reserve the juice
- 4-5 bananas sliced into 96 sliced rounds
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1-3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 (16-ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
- 12 whole Maraschino cherries
- walnut pieces for garnish
Directions
- In a the bowl of a food processor, add walnuts and sugar. Process into crumbs. Add melted butter and process until smooth (will be wet). Divide walnut mixture evenly among twelve 8 oz plastic cups. Flatten crust on bottom with a tamper or the back of a spoon. Place in the refrigerator while you are making the fillings.
- Beat together cream cheese and sugar until incorporated. Place mixture in a Ziploc bag and place in refrigerator until ready to use. (I put in a Ziploc bag so that I could just cut off the corner and pipe it in. Much easier this way.)
- Drain pineapple juice into a bowl and toss juice with banana slices to keep them from browning. Set crushed pineapple aside.
- Combine instant pudding mix and cold milk. Whisk for two minutes. Place in refrigerator for 15 minutes until set.
- Once everything is made and ready to go, remove cups with crust from the refrigerator. Pipe in cream cheese layer, dividing evenly among the cups. Place pineapple on top of the cream cheese layer, divide evenly. Add four slices of banana on top of the pineapple to each cup. Divide pudding evenly among all cups. Add another 4 slices of banana . Top with Cool Whip, a Maraschino cherry and walnuts.
- Refrigerate 3-4 hours before serving.
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Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
With the current heat wave in New England these no oven banana split cakes sound awesome!! I love that they come in individuals cups.
Cathy says
Stay cool Joanne!
Karen Burkitt says
Looks great, but missing one key ingredient for a banana split – chocolate! You could drizzle some chocolate syrup over the top and then add the nuts.
Cathy says
If I had to have chocolate in here I might add some chocolate curls on top, but other than that you really don’t miss it.
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik says
YUM! I definitely need one of those little wooden tools you have – I can think of a ton of uses for it already! đŸ™‚
Cathy says
Sarah it comes in handy for so many recipes!
Tieghan says
These are so cute and perfect! What a fun idea!
Cathy says
Thanks!
carrian says
I looooove banana so this is totally happening!!
Cathy says
It’s the perfect dessert food isn’t it?
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
I love the grab and go dessert idea. Very clever!
Cathy says
Thanks Valerie, I love grab n’ go too!
Shanna@ pineapple and coconut says
I love these. My kids would love these too. And no bake anything works for me in HOT Vegas right now!!
Cathy says
Stay cool Shanna!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
How incredible are these! I tell ya, banana splits bring me back. My Dad used to make them for me after dinner sometimes as a kid… I don’t think I’ve had one since then! Time to change that. Lovely recipe, Cathy!
Cathy says
What a great memory, I hope you get to enjoy one soon.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I love individual cakes like this, it makes it easier for me not to eat 6x of them. These look great!
Cathy says
Ha, I hear ya!
Jeff Meulemans says
Missing chocolate and strawberries. I would definately add some of each. Great inspiration though!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
looks like you have a lot of cups of banana split cakes on your hands. I’ll be right over to take most of those home with me haha. YUM!!
Cathy says
Ha-ha!!
NaturesComplete says
These look yummy. I also checked out your merchandise. I love the design of your coffee mug. I may have to get one for my desk here at work. đŸ™‚
Cathy says
Thanks.
natalie@thesweetslife says
this is a fantastic idea! desserts in single sizes like these are always so fun!
Cathy says
I know, my fave way to enjoy.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
I am definitely looking for easy no bake desserts since it is so hot outside right now. And cute individual desserts always catch my attention. Yum!
Cathy says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Yum! My husband is a huge banana fan. He eats one a day. He would be over the moon if I made these!
Cathy says
Time to make them for him!
Priscilla | ShesCookin says
SInce I’m not much of a baker – I adore no bake desserts and these look amazing. I also like individual servings – they’re cute, elegant, and no mess! Love these, Cathy!
Cathy says
Yes, no mess. That is always good!
leslie says
Oh my these sound sooooo good and soooo easy Cathy!
Cathy says
Yes. Easy.
Laura says
This dessert looks so creamy and refreshing and the no bake is a huge plus! Can’t wait to make these with my kids!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Suuuuuch a cute idea, Cathy! Love the fact that they’re mini individual banana split cakes.. which means I can eat more đŸ˜‰
Pam says
What a terrific idea Cathy! My kids would dig into these tasty treats happily.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Okay, I love the individual portions. And that walnut crust? TO DIE FOR. Pinned!
Alisa says
This is so cute! I love the idea of individual servings. Maybe not because I’m having a party, but the individual servings will prevent me from eating the whole thing all at once!
I think that I’d probably forego the Cool Whip due to all of the bad stuff in Cool Whip, but make my own whipped cream, and then top with mascerated strawberries and drizzle with chocolate. Perfect!
Thanks so much for providing the recipe and inspiration!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
Yum! I love no-bake things, especially in this freaking heat wave! These look sooo good đŸ™‚
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
How fun! I’m all about no-bake this summer!
Megan's Cookin' says
Looks like the perfect little dessert for these hot Summer days!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Oh Cathy!! These just look amazing! I want one of those cups right now!!!
Cathy says
Thank you!
Marilyn says
Great idea, but I would use peanuts or my favorite cashews instead of walnuts, and add a layer of strawberries to it, and chocolate curls on top. It is too hot in Kentucky to use our ovens. Thank you for the great recipe.
Cathy says
Enjoy it the way you like!
Christine (Cook the Story) says
I love this idea. In fact, I’m bookmarking it for Teacher Appreciation Week for next year. I always get asked to do the dessert for their luncheon and wind up searching for individual desserts for a crowd. This is just the thing!
Mary says
these look great but, it’s not ‘cake’…..you might want to switch the name to banana split parfait…..
Cathy says
Hey Mary-
Thanks for pointing that out. However that’s why the “cake” part of the title is enclosed in quotations.
Aida says
Don’t you love it when people only leave a comment to criticize. Lame.
Janice Hill says
I love this, it looks so yummy.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Such a sweet idea, Cathy! I love taking nostalgic family favorite recipes and putting a twist on them. This is the perfect way to make this summery (or anytime) dessert more fun for a party for everyone!
katie says
These look so good! I love the idea of the no-bake dessert!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Well, I just love an perfectly portioned treat, just for me! These look incredible. đŸ™‚
Sandy @ RE says
Fabulous-ness! Fun for easy summer entertaining, Cathy!
Jessica - The Novice Chef says
These look so amazing! I can’t stand it!
Laura | Pass The Knife says
I’m totally addicted to this flavor combination. We do banana pudding regularly, but the layers of your cake are so beautiful – a great idea for a party.
Kumar's Kitchen says
we are drooling over those amazing cups of our favorite dessert, oh love everything about your banana splits especially the cherries on top đŸ™‚
Maegan @ The BakerMama says
Super cute! I love how you used plastic cups which makes them even more perfect for a party! No way I could eat just one!
DessertForTwo says
I LOVE this recipe. I grew up on it. And now you’ve made it in individual portions! Hooray!
Jeremy Norton says
The serving does look cuter. And I can’t believe it is that easy to make.
Anne from Olympia says
These were a BIG hit! Great part: they are made ahead and everyone loves their own presentation (used wine glasses for adult dinner). These are like a banana cream pie only much better and easier to make. When you whip these our of your refrigerator everyone is excited at seeing them. Yum. I’ll bet a variation of adding some crushed pretzels to the crust would be good.
Thanks, Cathy, for another great recipe!
Pete says
How far in advance can you make these?
Cathy says
1-2 days.
April says
Loved this idea and decided to make it. Instead of walnuts though, I used vanilla wafers and topped it with chipped peanuts instead. My picky teenagers don’t care for walnuts and I made it in an 8×8 dish too. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the recipe!