3 fruity cheesecake layers make up this easy, No-Bake Banana Split Cheesecake: banana pineapple, strawberry and chocolate! The perfect summer dessert!
Remember how I get into food ruts?
This is one of them: banana split. (Maybe you remember those Banana Split Trifles?)
And it’s not like I’ve ever been all about the banana splits in the past. I think part of it is just coming up with different ways to recreate old favorites. What can I “banana split” this week.
I realized that I didn’t have a proper cheesecake recipe on the blog yet, and it felt wrong.
I’m a big cheesecake lover.
And I have been forever and ever. If you saw these Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, you know my used-to-be-weekly cheesecake dates with a good friend.
Now I live in the middle of nowhere and make my own cheesecake. Clearly not often enough!
What do you guys put on your banana splits anyway? I made my cheesecake, and then I started looking around. I realized that maybe some people don’t put pineapple on their banana splits! If you’re one of those people, you can totally leave it out, and have an extra vanilla layer, or stir in some melted chocolate.
All is good when it comes to cheesecake.
Banana split just screams summer to me. And I want summer!
I mean, things are pretty good around here. But it’s not like we’re getting 6 months of beach weather like some of you.
This is a super simple no-bake cheesecake on a chocolate crust, but you can definitely do vanilla or graham if you prefer! All of the layers are basically cream cheese, sugar, whipped cream, and whatever fruit flavour you add.
I soaked the banana slices in pineapple juice because (a) it’s better than soaking them in lemon juice and (b) it keeps them from looking not so appetizing. This is an optional step – by all means, if you like brown bananas, you can skip it! It won’t change the taste.
I made all of the layers in the same bowl without washing in between, so it keeps dishes to a minimum. Feel free to use light or regular cream cheese, and light or regular whipped topping if you want to keep thighs things a little on the skinnier side. I usually buy light cream cheese so that’s what I used!
This cheesecake freezes perfectly. It’s so perfect for making ahead, and you can even eat it frozen if you prefer! The only issue you might have is the bananas will brown once they thaw. If you plan to freeze it, I would serve it partially frozen.
Feel free to change up the fruit flavors and layer to accommodate your tastes! In my mind, it’s all good: chocolate, banana, pineapple, strawberry, cherry, or whatever you want!
No-Bake Banana Split Cheesecake
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Crust
- 25 Oreo cookies, with frosting
- ½ cup melted butter
Chocolate layer
- ¾ cup chopped dark chocolate, (or sub chocolate chips)
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Banana Pineapple Layer
- 2 bananas
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained well, juice reserved
Strawberry layer
- 3 tablespoons freeze dried strawberries
Cheesecake filling
- 750 grams full fat cream cheese, (3 packages or 24 oz total)
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- Sprinkles, cherries, etc for garnish as desired
Instructions
Crust
- *Optional: you can line the pan with parchment paper to make it easier to remove after chilling.
- In a food processor, crush cookies until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter and process until the crumbs hold together when pressed between your fingers. Press into the bottom of a 9" Springform pan. Set aside.
Chocolate layer
- In a medium bowl, combine chocolate and cream. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Banana Pineapple Layer
- Slice bananas and soak in reserved pineapple juice.
Strawberry Layer
- Crush freeze dried strawberries into a fine powder.
Cheesecake assembly
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, beat the whipping cream with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the cream cheese mixture (you can do this with the electric mixer on low speed).
- Divide cheesecake mixture into 3 bowls.
- Drain banana slices well and place on the crust in the pan in a single layer. To ⅓ of the cheesecake mixture, add the crushed pineapple and spread over bananas.
- To another ⅓ of the cheesecake mixture, stir in the melted chocolate and spread over pineapple layer.
- To the remaining ⅓ of the cheesecake mixture, mix in the freeze dried strawberries and spread over the chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate at least 6-8 hours or overnight until set. Garnish as desired with whipped cream and additional toppings.
Notes
- Crushed pineapple: you can skip the crushed pineapple if you don’t enjoy it, but you may want to soak the bananas in pineapple juice or lemon juice so they don’t brown too quickly.
- Freeze dried strawberries: if you don’t have freeze dried strawberries you can substitute with a similar amount of strawberry jello powder or some strawberry jam.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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sue miller says
why is the powdered sugar divided ,it doesnt say
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry for the confusion! It doesn’t need to be divided and I have corrected the recipe
Glennda says
What did you use for the swirls that you put cherries on for garnish?
Ashley Fehr says
Just whipped cream! 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Love all the layers this cheesecake has and the sprinkles and cherry make it look super fun!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christin!
Dee says
My birthday was yesterday and I’ve been craving birthday cake this is perfect!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Happy belated birthday!
Maria says
Wonderful cheesecake! Made mine with smashed up waffle cones for the crust…. Awesome:)
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea! Glad you liked it!
Dorena says
The recipe does not indicate what size springform pan to use ?
Thank You
Ashley says
Sorry about that Dorena! I mentioned it in the note in the post but I guess not in the actual recipe. I’ve fixed it!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This cheesecake looks to die for!! I’m loving all the layers and flavors, and the fact that it’s no-bake is too perfect for summer. Pinned!!
Ashley says
Thanks Rachel!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
this is beyond brilliant! Wow! I’m falling short of words!
My Kitchen Craze says
No bake Ashley!! You are a genius! This cheesecake looks amazing and perfect for summer!! Can’t wait to try this out. Not having to turn on my oven when its a 115 outside is a win win in my book. Pinned!
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Cyndi! I do love a good no-bake dessert!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Ashley! Stop it! This is too good! I’ll take any leftovers, but I doubt this beauty lasted very long before being devoured : )
Ashley says
You’re right — it’s long gone! Haha, thanks Natalie!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
These cheesecake looks AMAZING! Brilliant idea Ashley! Pinned!
Ashley says
Thanks Mariah!