Did you know that today is National Banana Split Day? Created by a 23-year old pharmacist in 1904, the banana split is a popular American dessert, traditionally served with a banana split in half, three scoops of ice cream (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla), and topped with chocolate syrup, crushed pineapple, walnut ice cream topping, whipped cream and a cherry. This dessert comes in at over 1000 calories!
Dole Bananas has partnered with Tastespotting today to rally the food-blogging community to invent a healthier banana split with less than 350 calories.
I entered the challenge on the late side today (I’ve been driving my kids around all day and just got home!), but didn’t want you to miss out on the fun. The Healthy Banana Split I came up with is made with 100% fruit.
The three scoops of “ice cream” I made were entirely fruit based, blackberry, strawberry and banana. For the blackberry and strawberry “ice cream”, I blended half a banana with 1/3 cup frozen fruit in my Vitamix blender (note: you need a heavy duty blender to make this; otherwise, you will need to add some almond or coconut milk to the fruit and freeze until firm). For the banana “ice cream,” I simply blended frozen banana chunks until creamy and smooth.
For my version of the Healthy Banana Split, I used half a banana, one scoop each of the blackberry, strawberry and banana ice cram, and topped it off with fresh strawberries, pineapple and blueberries. That’s it!
The approximate calorie count for my Healthy Banana Split is 280 calories (2 bananas, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/3 cup blackberries, 1/2 slice pineapple, 1 tablespoon blueberries).
My little guy was the taste tester and he gave it a thumbs up (he thought it was real ice cream). Enjoy!
this looks great!
I had no idea that the banana split was the most popular dessert in America – really? I don't think I've every had one 🙂 but I do like this healthy version – totally impressed with your faux ice cream scoops – so inventive and delightful! Great recipe.
This looks absolutely amazing!! I will definitely try it soon 🙂
Brilliant, Jeanette! It looks absolutely delicious. 🙂
Shirley
jeanette, i love this healthy dessert! and i love how it is ice cream maker free, since i don't have one. 😀 fruit puree with cashew milk – i'm gonna try that together!
Lovely. I recently discovered whipped frozen banana and it was a revelation. It is so like ice cream! Your banana split sounds wonderful.
What a nice treat to have a healthier version of a banana split. I grew up on Banana SPlits.