Banana Split Cake
Recipe: https://recipestripper.com/recipes/f400ae96-0320-4c3d-8d39-46495fb529c8
Original source: https://laurenslatest.com/banana-split-cake/
Recipe image: https://laurenslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/banana-split-cake-16.jpg

Banana Split Cake is a graham cracker crust topped with all the familiar flavors of a banana split including the cherry on top! This no-bake dessert will be devoured by everyone.
Yield: 12
Prep time: PT20M
Cook time: PT5M
Total time: PT145M

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or about 14 full sized crackers, crushed)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 2 cups confectioners sugar ((powdered))
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt ((just a pinch))
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple (in its own juices, juice drained over. abowl)
- 4 bananas
- 8 oz Cool Whip (thawed in refrigerator)
- 11/2 cup peanuts (finely chopped)
- 12 maraschino cherries (rinsed and dried (1 for each slice))
- hot fudge sauce (for drizzling, optional)

Instructions
1. [for graham cracker crust-] Add butter and sugar to a small sauce pot and cook on medium heat to melt butter, stirring occasionally to completely dissolve sugar.
2. [for graham cracker crust-] Remove from heat, then add graham cracker crumbs*, stirring to combine.
3. [for graham cracker crust-] Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
4. [for cream cheese layer-] In a mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer beat the other stick of butter, cream cheese, sugar and salt until fluffy, about 2 minutes... scraping sides of bowl as needed.
5. [for cream cheese layer-] Spread evenly over top the graham cracker crust.
6. [for the remaining layers-] Open can of pineapple and drain well, reserving liquid in a small bowl.
7. [for the remaining layers-] Peel and slice bananas and as you slice place in the bowl of pineapple juice.**
8. [for the remaining layers-] Remove bananas from pineapple juice and discard liquid. Place the banana slices in an even layer over the cream cheese mixture.
9. [for the remaining layers-] Place the crushed pineapple in an even layer over bananas.
10. [for the remaining layers-] Next, spread the Cool Whip over the pineapple in an even layer.
11. [for the remaining layers-] Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over top the Cool Whip.
12. [for the remaining layers-] Place a single cherry over where each slice will be cut, so everyone gets a cherry on top!
13. [for the remaining layers-] Drizzle with hot fudge sauce in a diagonal pattern as last layer (optional).
14. [for the remaining layers-] Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into 12 even squares and serving cold. Keep refrigerated in between servings.