Banana Split Dessert Cups
Enjoy a classic banana split dessert in these individual Banana Split Dessert Cups! Layers of pudding, graham cracker crumbs, banana slices, pineapple, and whipped cream inside a cup and topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, chopped peanuts, and a maraschino cherry.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pudding mix (banana cream, vanilla, or cheesecake)
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 bananas
- 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple (drained well)
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 8 ounces Cool Whip or Whipped Cream (*see notes)
Toppings & Garnishes
- sprinkles
- chocolate syrup and/or strawberry syrup
- chopped peanuts or nuts
- maraschino cherries
- chopped strawberries
- additional sliced bananas
Instructions
- Make The Pudding : Add the instant pudding mix (dry, unprepared) and half and half milk into a mixing bowl. Stir with a whisk for 1-2 minutes or until it's smooth and creamy, and it starts to thicken. Set the bowl aside to thicken more as you prepare the rest.1 box (3.4 oz) instant pudding mix, 2 cups half and half
- Prep : Slice the bananas into thin slices. Drain the crushed pineapple in a colander, no need to save the juice, and use a spoon to press on the crushed pineapple to make sure that all the moisture is drained.2 bananas, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple
- Layer Banana Split Dessert Cups : - Firmly press 3 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of each cup. - Top each crust with 1/4 cup pudding. - Add 2 layers of thinly sliced banana on top of the pudding. - Add a spoonful of crushed pineapple over the bananas. - Add another layer of 2 tablespoons pudding mixture.- The final layer is a layer of Cool Whip or whipped cream. - Garnish with toppings of choice! We like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, chopped strawberries, and chopped peanuts or nuts.1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 8 ounces Cool Whip or Whipped Cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup and/or strawberry syrup, chopped peanuts or nuts, maraschino cherries, chopped strawberries, additional sliced bananas
- For best results serve right away! You can either layer and prepare the dessert cups beforehand OR lay out all the toppings and layer ingredients and everyone can make their own.
Notes
Cool Whip or Whipped Cream : You can either use a tub of Cool Whip (thawed) or make your own. Add 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream + 1/3 cup powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and beat on low speed until stiff peaks form. Increase the speed as it thickens. It's best not to use the spray whipped cream for the layers cause it melts pretty quickly compared to Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream. You can use the spray whipped cream for a garnish/topping idea if wanted.
Graham Cracker Crumbs : Use either 1 cup of store-bought graham cracker crumbs OR crush about 6-8 whole graham cracker sheets. You can also substitute the graham crackers crumbs with chopped shortbread cookies (like chessmen cookies), Nilla Wafers, or another vanilla or honey based cracker (even honey teddy grahams).
Tip : If you don't like pineapple try using chopped strawberries instead.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg
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