Today’s Spotlight is on the Banana Split.

A banana split is an American ice cream-based dessert consisting of a peeled banana cut in half lengthwise and served with ice cream and sauce between the two pieces. The classic banana split is made with three scoops of ice cream, one each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. There are many variations, but the classic banana split is made with three scoops of ice cream. Toppings for a banana split can include chocolate syrup, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and crushed nuts.

 

History

The banana split is thought to have been invented in 1904 by David Strickler, a 23-year-old pharmacist working at Tassel Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Legend has it that Strickler sliced a banana in two and topped it with scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, three kinds of flavored toppings, and whipped cream. The first banana split cost 10 cents, which was double the price of other sundaes at the time.

The original banana split was made with different kinds of ice cream topped with raspberry, strawberry, and pineapple sauces, marshmallow syrup, chopped nuts, and black cherries. It became popularized in the early 1900’s when ice cream and soda fountains were all the rage.

The name “banana split” comes from the banana being split in half and the ice cream being nestled between the ice cream.

Charles Walgreen, a pharmacist who owned drug stores in Chicago, adopted the banana split as a signature dessert. Because the banana split was not patented or trademarked, it was legal for Walgreen to borrow the idea. Walgreens is credited with spreading the popularity of the banana split.

 

Here are some fun facts and world records about banana splits:

• The world’s longest banana split was 4.5 miles long and made in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania in 1988.
• The split used 33,000 bananas, 2,500 gallons of ice cream, and 150 gallons of chocolate syrup.
• The split held the record for 29 years.
• The first banana split in the Guinness Book of World Records was made by students at Texas A&M University in 1980.
• The first banana split cost 10 cents, which was double the price of other sundaes.
• The banana split has become an iconic part of American dessert culture.

 

Here is a Banana Split Recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• ¼ vanilla ice cream 1 scoop
• ¼ strawberry ice cream 1 scoop
• ¼ chocolate ice cream 1 scoop
• 2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce
• 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
• 2 tablespoons strawberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon crushed nuts peanuts, walnuts, pecans, pistachios
• ½ cup whipped cream
• 3 maraschino cherries

 

Instructions: 

1. Peel the banana and slice it in half lengthwise. Place a slice of banana on either side of a medium sized shallow bowl.
2. Place one scoop each of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, in a row down the center of the bowl. They should be placed in between the banana slices.
3. Drizzle the hot fudge, caramel sauce, and strawberry over the entire dish. I recommend going side to side from one end of the bananas to the other to get your traditional banana split appearance.
4. Top each scoop of ice cream with a large dollop of whipped cream or you can pipe it on if you prefer.
5. Place a maraschino cherry on top of each scoop of whipped cream and sprinkle crushed nuts over the top of the banana split.
6. Serve immediately.
7. Enjoy!

 

Consumption

According to Tastewise, banana splits are consumed an average of 1.33 times per year. The popularity of banana splits has decreased by 169.15% over the past year.

 

Celebrate the Banana Split

National Banana Split Day is celebrated annually on August 25. The holiday is a chance to indulge in a banana split, an ice cream-based dessert that includes ripe bananas, hot fudge, and toppings. Let us know in the comments what your favorite banana split story is.