Lisa Food Blog : Banana Split

History of Banana Splits :

“We’ve got clear evidence that William Strickler invented the banana split right here in the Tassell Pharmacy at 805 Ligonier St. when he was a 23-year-old clerk,

“He had this genius to create this banana split sundae,” Turback said. It was culinary opulence: Chocolate syrup oozing down a scoop of chocolate ice cream, strawberry syrup draped across the strawberry scoop, and pineapple adorning the vanilla. There was whipped cream. There was, of course, a cherry.

Strickler wasn’t the only one to come up with this kind of dessert. In the years just after his innovation, dessert makers in Wilmington, Ohio and Boston came up with their own takes on the banana split, sometimes claiming credit for being the first to do so

Why was it invented?

In 1907, Ernest R. Hazard supposedly invented the banana split. He owned a restaurant in Wilmington, Ohio, and he hoped that a new ice cream treat would attract students from Wilmington College. According to legend, Hazard sponsored a competition to invent the new treat

Banana Split Cake : No Bake

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
¾ cup white sugar
¼ pound butter, melted

1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
12 ounces crushed peanuts

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
4 bananas, sliced
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, white sugar and melted butter. Mix together and press into a 9×13 inch cake pan; refrigerate until chilled .Beat together the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar; spread over graham cracker crust. Layer bananas and pineapple over cream cheese mixture; cover fruit with whipped topping. Top with cherries and chopped nuts; refrigerate and serve chilled.