Chef's Tip
Freeze your serving dishes for about 15 minutes before assembling the banana splits. This helps keep the ice cream from melting too quickly, giving you more time to add all your toppings and sauces before serving.
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberry sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sliced strawberries and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries break down and mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the pineapple sauce: In another saucepan, combine diced pineapple and brown sugar. Simmer over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Make the chocolate sauce: Place chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Heat heavy cream until it just begins to simmer, then pour over chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Stir in corn syrup for shine. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare the whipped cream: Using a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Split the bananas lengthwise and place each in a banana split dish or oblong bowl.
- For each banana split, place one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream in a row on top of the banana.
- Spoon pineapple sauce over the vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce over the chocolate ice cream, and strawberry sauce over the strawberry ice cream.
- Top each scoop with a dollop of whipped cream, then sprinkle chopped nuts over the entire dessert.
- Crown each scoop of ice cream with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Plating
Use an elongated boat-shaped dish specifically designed for banana splits, or a rectangular plate. Place the split banana against the edges of the dish, then arrange the three scoops of ice cream in a row down the center. Apply each sauce to its designated ice cream flavor. Add whipped cream in three distinct mounds, sprinkle with nuts, and finish with cherries positioned on top of each whipped cream mound.
Storage & Reheating
Banana splits are best assembled and eaten immediately. You can store the homemade sauces separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator: chocolate sauce for up to 1 week, strawberry sauce for up to 5 days, and pineapple sauce for up to 5 days. Whipped cream can be stored separately for up to 24 hours.
About This Recipe
This banana split is inspired by the classic version that delighted guests at Brigham's ice cream parlors throughout Massachusetts. The combination of three ice cream flavors with three distinct sauces creates a dessert that's both nostalgic and indulgent. While traditionally made with store-bought toppings, this homemade version elevates the flavors while maintaining the beloved presentation.