The Ultimate From-Scratch Banana Split

Overview

Discover how to craft the classic American banana split from scratch, guided by expert chefs. Learn to make homemade ice cream with vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate flavors, along with hot fudge, fruit sauces, and perfectly toasted nuts, ensuring a truly authentic dessert experience.

Ingredients

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Egg yolks
• 1 whole split vanilla bean
• Best berries you can find (for purée)
• High-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 cup heavy cream (for hot fudge)
• 1/2 cup sugar (for hot fudge)
• 4 ounces good, unsweetened chocolate
• 1 cup finely diced pineapple
• 1/4 cup sugar (for pineapple sauce)
• 1 cup finely diced strawberry
• 1/4 cup sugar (for strawberry sauce)
• Walnuts
• Cold heavy cream (for whipped cream)
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla (for whipped cream)
• 1 banana

Instructions

1. Make the custard base: Heat whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and egg yolks slow and steady in a heavy-bottomed pot to 180°F (82°C) until it coats the back of a spoon.
2. Chill the custard completely, preferably overnight, to age it for a smoother texture.
3. Split the chilled custard base into thirds.
4. For vanilla ice cream, churn one-third of the base with a whole split vanilla bean.
5. For strawberry ice cream, churn one-third of the base with a purée from the best berries.
6. For chocolate ice cream, churn one-third of the base with high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
7. Prepare hot fudge: Boil 1 cup of heavy cream with 1/2 cup of sugar. Remove from heat and whisk in 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate until smooth. Keep warm around 120°F (50°C).
8. Prepare pineapple sauce: Combine 1 cup of finely diced pineapple with 1/4 cup of sugar. Gently simmer around 195°F (90°C) to soften fruit and dissolve sugar.
9. Prepare strawberry sauce: Combine 1 cup of finely diced strawberry with 1/4 cup of sugar. Gently simmer around 195°F (90°C) to soften fruit and dissolve sugar.
10. Toast walnuts: Spread walnuts on a pan and bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about six minutes.
11. Make whipped cream: Whisk cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla for three minutes until soft peaks form.
12. Chill a 20-centimeter glass boat.
13. Split a banana lengthwise and lay it in the chilled boat.
14. Place one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between the banana halves.
15. Apply your prepared toppings (hot fudge, fruit sauces, whipped cream, toasted walnuts).

In this video

• The banana split was invented in 1904 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
• A real banana split starts with a good custard base made from whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and egg yolks, heated to 180°F (82°C).
• Chilling the custard completely, preferably overnight, ages it and provides a smoother ice cream texture.
• Classic ice cream flavors are made by splitting the base into thirds and adding a whole vanilla bean, puréed berries, or Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
• Hot fudge is made by boiling one cup of heavy cream with a half-cup of sugar, then whisking in four ounces of unsweetened chocolate until smooth.
• Fruit toppings like pineapple and strawberry sauces are made by gently simmering one cup of finely diced fruit with a quarter-cup of sugar at 195°F (90°C).
• Walnuts should be toasted in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about six minutes.
• Whipped cream is made by whisking cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla for three minutes until soft peaks form.
• The serving dish, a 20-centimeter glass boat, should be well-chilled to prevent premature melting.
• The traditional assembly involves laying a lengthwise-split banana in the boat, then placing one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between the halves before adding toppings.

Frequently asked questions

Where was the banana split invented?

The banana split was invented in 1904 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by a young apprentice pharmacist named Strickler.

What temperature should the ice cream custard base reach?

The custard base for the ice cream should be heated slowly and steadily to 180°F (82°C) until it coats the back of a spoon, taking care not to scramble the eggs.

How do you make hot fudge from scratch for a banana split?

To make hot fudge, boil 1 cup of heavy cream with 1/2 cup of sugar, then remove from heat and whisk in 4 ounces of good, unsweetened chocolate until it is smooth.

What is the correct way to toast walnuts for a banana split?

Spread walnuts on a pan and toast them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about six minutes.

What is the proper order for assembling a classic banana split?

First, chill a 20-centimeter glass boat. Lay a banana split lengthwise in the boat, then place one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between the banana halves before applying toppings.