Tropical Banana Cream Dream
Indulge in the creamy, tropical flavors of the Tropical Banana Cream Dream, a delightful twist on the classic banana split. Combining layers of crunchy vanilla wafer crust, smooth cream cheese filling, juicy pineapple, and fresh bananas, topped with fluffy whipped cream and a nutty finish, this dessert is perfect for gatherings and celebrations. Its rich texture means a little goes a long way, making it an absolute favorite for those with a sweet tooth. Serve chilled for the best experience!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vanilla wafer crumbs
2 1/2 cups (Crushed (about 80 wafers))
Margarine or butter
1/2 cup (Melted)
Cream cheese
1 (8-ounce) package (Softened)
Powdered sugar
1 cup (Sifted)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Pure)
Crushed pineapple
1 (20-ounce) can (Drained, juice reserved)
Bananas
4 (Sliced)
Cool Whip or whipped cream
16 ounces (Defrosted or whipped)
Walnuts
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Maraschino cherry
1 (For garnish)
Chocolate syrup
To taste (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a medium bowl, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs with the melted margarine or butter, mixing thoroughly.
3
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form the crust.
4
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes or until it turns lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
5
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6
Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip or whipped cream until well combined.
7
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust, smoothing it out with a spatula.
8
Carefully layer the well-drained crushed pineapple over the cream cheese filling, ensuring even coverage.
9
Slice the bananas and dip each slice in the reserved pineapple juice to prevent browning.
10
Arrange the banana slices aesthetically over the pineapple layer.
11
Spread the remaining Cool Whip or whipped cream over the banana slices, smoothing it out.
12
Sprinkle the chopped walnuts evenly on top of the cream layer.
13
Finish with a garnish of maraschino cherries and a drizzle of chocolate syrup as desired. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
18g
Carbs
1g
Protein
12g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tropical Banana Cream Dream?
It is a creamy, tropical dessert that serves as a delightful twist on the classic banana split, featuring layers of vanilla wafer crust, cream cheese, pineapple, and bananas.
How many calories are in one serving of this dessert?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What type of crust is used for the Tropical Banana Cream Dream?
The recipe uses a crunchy crust made from 2.5 cups of vanilla wafer crumbs mixed with melted margarine or butter.
How long should I bake the vanilla wafer crust?
The crust should be baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 8 minutes until it is lightly golden brown.
How do I prevent the bananas from turning brown?
You should dip each banana slice in the reserved pineapple juice before arranging them over the pineapple layer.
Can I use butter instead of margarine for the crust?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of melted margarine or 1/2 cup of melted butter for the crust.
What goes into the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of an 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of whipped cream or Cool Whip.
Does this recipe include nuts?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts sprinkled on top for a nutty finish.
How much pineapple is needed for the recipe?
You will need one 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, well-drained.
How long does the dessert need to chill before serving?
The dessert should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving for the best experience.
What are the recommended garnishes for this dessert?
Typical garnishes include maraschino cherries and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
How many bananas are required?
The recipe requires 4 bananas, which should be sliced.
What is the total fat content per serving?
There are 13 grams of fat in a single serving.
Is this a high-protein dessert?
No, it contains only 1 gram of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving has 18 grams of carbohydrates.
How much sugar is in the Tropical Banana Cream Dream?
There are 12 grams of sugar per serving.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
Do I need to sift the powdered sugar?
Yes, it is recommended to use 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar for a smoother filling.
How many vanilla wafers are needed to make 2.5 cups of crumbs?
Approximately 80 vanilla wafers are needed to produce the required amount of crumbs.
Is the cream cheese layer supposed to be cooked?
No, only the crust is baked; the cream cheese mixture is whipped and layered onto the cooled crust.
Can I use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, you can use either 16 ounces of defrosted Cool Whip or an equivalent amount of fresh whipped cream.
What kind of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe suggests using one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Does this dessert have a rich texture?
Yes, the description notes it has a rich texture, meaning a little goes a long way.
Is the pineapple juice discarded?
No, you should reserve the juice from the crushed pineapple to dip the banana slices in.
Should the cream cheese be cold when mixing?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure the mixture is smooth and creamy.
How should the crushed pineapple be layered?
It should be spread carefully over the cream cheese filling to ensure even coverage.
Can I add chocolate syrup to the whole dish?
Yes, you can finish the dessert with a drizzle of chocolate syrup as desired before chilling.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 11 distinct ingredients.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include dessert, banana split, tropical, cream, rich, no-bake, party dessert, and cold dessert.
Is this a good dessert for large gatherings?
Yes, it is considered an absolute favorite for gatherings and celebrations due to its rich flavor and size.