Description

Warmer weather will soon be here and so is the need for spring and summer type desserts. This banana split dessert is made without ice cream, but instant pudding, Cool Whip, bananas, pineapple, nuts, and marshmallows.

Ingredients

• 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, 100% juice, undrained
• 3.4 oz. package banana cream instant pudding mix (or vanilla, French vanilla, or white chocolate instant pudding)
• 1 1/2 c. mini-marshmallows
• 1/2 c. mixed nuts dessert topping (plus 3 T. for garnish)
• 1/3 c. mini-chocolate chips
• 8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
• 10 oz. maraschino cherries, stems removed, halved, patted dry (plus more whole cherries with stems for optional garnish)
• 2 large or 3 medium ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
• Reddi Whip, optional topping
• chocolate syrup, for drizzling, optional garnish

Steps

1. Add the crushed pineapple, with its juice, to a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle the pudding mix over the pineapple; stir until the pudding is dissolved. Fold in the marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chips. Fold in half of the Cool Whip.
3. Add the halved cherries, sliced bananas, and the remaining Cool Whip. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator when ready to serve.