This Banana Delight is a quick, creamy treat that highlights sweet, ripe bananas with cold vanilla ice cream, silky chocolate syrup, and fluffy whipped cream. The dessert comes together in minutes and offers a comforting mix of soft banana, smooth ice cream, and a crunchy finish if you add nuts. It looks bright and inviting with a cherry on top, and it smells like sweet chocolate and ripe fruit. If you enjoy simple party desserts, my baked brie recipe guide offers other easy ideas you can serve alongside this.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving (based on 2 servings):
- Calories per serving: 455 kcal
- Protein: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 52 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
Why Make This Banana Delight
Make this Banana Delight when you want a fast, satisfying dessert with fresh fruit and indulgent flavors. It takes just minutes to build and needs no baking. The contrast between cold ice cream and soft banana creates a lovely texture. The chocolate syrup adds rich, chocolaty aroma and deep flavor. This recipe suits busy weeknights, casual family treats, or a last-minute company dessert.
How to Make Banana Delight
You assemble this dessert in a few easy steps: slice ripe bananas, add scoops of vanilla ice cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and finish with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. No cooking is required. Work quickly so the ice cream stays firm and the bananas stay fresh and bright.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- Chopped nuts (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (for topping)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Slice the bananas into even coins or diagonal slices and place them in a shallow bowl or two dessert dishes. If you like, chill the bowls for a few minutes so the ice cream melts less when added.
Step 2: Mixing
Place scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the banana slices. Use two medium scoops per serving for a balanced ratio of fruit to ice cream.
Step 3: Cooking
No cooking is needed. Instead, drizzle the chocolate syrup evenly over the ice cream and bananas. If you want warm chocolate, gently warm the syrup in the microwave for 5–8 seconds and stir, but do this sparingly so it doesn’t melt the ice cream too fast.
Step 4: Finishing
Add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. Sprinkle chopped nuts if desired for crunch and texture. Finish each serving with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately and enjoy!
How to Serve Banana Delight
Serve Banana Delight in chilled bowls or tall sundae glasses so it looks elegant. Offer extra toppings on the side: crushed cookies, caramel sauce, toasted coconut, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Pair with coffee for an after-dinner treat or bring it to a casual summer gathering for a fast, crowd-pleasing dessert.
How to Store Banana Delight
- Assembled: Best eaten immediately. If left assembled, it will become watery and icy within 30–60 minutes.
- Components: Store ripe bananas whole at room temperature for 1–2 days. If you slice bananas ahead, toss slices with a little lemon juice and refrigerate up to 24 hours to slow browning. Keep ice cream in the freezer and whipped cream in the refrigerator (use within 2–3 days).
- Make-ahead tip: Keep all parts separate and assemble just before serving for best texture.
Expert Tips for Perfect Banana Delight
- Use ripe but firm bananas. Overripe bananas taste sweeter but can become mushy.
- Chill serving bowls for 10 minutes to slow ice cream melting.
- For neater presentation, trim the banana ends and slice at an angle.
- Toast nuts in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes to boost aroma and crunch.
- Warm the chocolate syrup slightly if you want a drizzle that sets into a thin shell—don’t overheat.
- If you serve children, cut portions smaller and use small sundae cups.
- For less sugar, swap vanilla ice cream for plain frozen yogurt or lower-sugar ice cream.
Delicious Variations
- Peanut Butter Banana Delight: Drizzle warm peanut butter instead of chocolate and add crushed peanuts.
- Caramel Banana Delight: Use caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.
- Banana Split Style: Add strawberries and pineapple with a few more scoops of ice cream and sliced almonds.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based vanilla ice cream and coconut whipped cream.
- Crunchy Granola Twist: Sprinkle granola instead of nuts for a breakfast-style treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I make Banana Delight ahead of time?
You can prep the bananas and toppings ahead, but assemble just before serving. Assembled sundaes get soggy and icy if stored. -
What type of banana is best?
Use ripe, firm bananas with yellow skins and a few brown spots. They are sweet but still hold their shape when sliced. -
Can I use frozen bananas or banana ice cream?
Yes. Frozen banana slices will make the dessert extra cold and slightly firmer. Banana ice cream changes the flavor balance—use less ice cream if you want the banana to remain the star. -
How do I avoid banana browning?
Toss slices with a little lemon or orange juice if you need to store them for up to a day. For immediate serving, slice right before assembling. -
What can I substitute for nuts if someone is allergic?
Replace nuts with toasted seeds (sunflower or pumpkin), crushed cookies, or extra granola for crunch. -
Is this dessert high in sugar?
It is relatively high in sugar due to the ice cream, chocolate syrup, and bananas. You can cut sugar by using lower-sugar ice cream, sugar-free syrup, or smaller portions.
Conclusion
This Banana Delight is a quick, cheerful dessert that brings bright banana flavor together with creamy ice cream and chocolate. It’s perfect for a fast family treat or an easy party dish that looks lovely and tastes comforting. For more simple dessert ideas that pair well with this dish, try the banana pudding delight recipe on The Kitchn for another crowd-pleasing option. Enjoy making this — it’s easy, fast, and always welcome at the table.
Print
Banana Delight
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick, creamy dessert that combines ripe bananas with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- Chopped nuts (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (for topping)
Instructions
- Slice the bananas into even coins or diagonal slices and place them in a shallow bowl or two dessert dishes. Chill the bowls for a few minutes if desired.
- Place scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the banana slices, using two medium scoops per serving.
- Drizzle the chocolate syrup evenly over the ice cream and bananas. Warm the syrup in the microwave if desired.
- Add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top, sprinkle chopped nuts if desired, and finish each serving with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve in chilled bowls or tall sundae glasses. Store components separately for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 52g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
