Banana Split Cake is a rich banana cake layered with chocolate, pineapple, and strawberry buttercream that is topped with ganache, cherries, and sprinkles.
My sweet daughter Jojo turns 11 years old today (silently crying). She is just the sweetest thing to walk on this planet. Kind, loving, giving, nurturing, generous, sensitive, tender, smiley, and everyone is just drawn to her because of her heart. She loves to dance and write songs.
Every year she looks forward to being able to come up a birthday cake idea. All my kids love to do this, but Jojo is the only one who will draw up what she wants and make it happen. The first time she did this was the Double Chocolate Nutella Layer Cake.
She was so proud of that cake. So when I asked about this years she remarked that she wanted my “famous” Banana Split Cupcakes. I loathe those cupcakes and honestly I have no idea why. I just really, really, dislike making them. So I asked if we could do a cake instead, she agreed…phew!
The tradition in our family though, is that on your birthday we typically do a family celebration which includes family in town and Nana’s famous Oreo Ice Cream Cake. Then on your birthday party day, we do the cake that you want. And that is exactly what we are doing this year. When I told Jojo that I would be putting her cake on the blog she was so excited. But insisted that it may only be published on her actual birthday….today!
So we stayed up last night making this Banana Split Cake, just so we could have it here for you today on her birthday. Finished it off this morning with the toppings, it is finally complete so that you can celebrate with us today as well.
Happy birthday my sweet Jojo, enjoy your Banana Split Cake! XOXO Mom (San)
How do you make Banana Split Cake?
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare and grease 2 – 8 inch cake pans, set aside.
Mix all of the ingredients for the cake and beat together until smooth. Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow cakes to completely cool. Once cooled cut both cakes in half, making 4 equal cake layers. While cooling, make buttercream fillings, instructions below.
Add one of the layers onto a cake plate. Top with chocolate buttercream.
Add another layer of cake. Top with the pineapple buttercream.
Add one more layer and frost with the strawberry buttercream. Top with the last cake layer.
Chill cake in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Frost cake with vanilla buttercream.
Set cake in the fridge to set for 30-60 minutes. While setting, make ganache, instructions below.
Pour ganache over cake, allowing it to slowly drip down the sides. Set the cake in the fridge and let it chill for 30-60 minutes, until ganache is set.
Slice serve and enjoy!
- Chocolate Buttercream – In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
- Pineapple Buttercream – In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the pineapple topping. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
- Strawberry Buttercream – In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the strawberry topping. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
- Vanilla Buttercream – In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the vanilla extract. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
- Ganache – In a small sauce pan, add the whipping cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add in chocolate chips. Do not mix or stir them in, let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let it cool for about 3-5 minutes.
Want more delicious cake ideas? Try my Banana Zucchini Cake, Best Ever German Chocolate Cake, or Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake.
Banana Split Cake
Ingredients
Banana Cake
- 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 6 tablespoons cup milk
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 teaspoons milk
Pineapple Buttercream
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons pineapple sundae topping I used Smuckers
- 3-4 teaspoons milk
Strawberry Buttercream
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons strawberry sundae topping I used Smuckers
- 3-4 teaspoons milk
Vanilla Buttercream
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract optional
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
Ganache
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Banana Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare and grease 2 - 8 inch cake pans, set aside.
- Mix all of the ingredients for the cake and beat together until smooth. Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow cakes to completely cool. Once cooled cut both cakes in half, making 4 equal cake layers. While cooling, make buttercream fillings, instructions below.
- Add one of the layers onto a cake plate. Top with chocolate buttercream.
- Add another layer of cake and top with the pineapple buttercream.
- Add one more layer and frost with the strawberry buttercream. Top with the last cake layer.
- Chill cake in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Frost cake with vanilla buttercream.
- Set cake in the fridge to set for 30-60 minutes. While setting, make ganache, instructions below.
- Pour ganache over cake, allowing it to slowly drip down the sides. Set the cake in the fridge and let it chill for 30-60 minutes, until ganache is set.
- Slice serve and enjoy!
Chocolate Buttercream
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
Pineapple Buttercream
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the pineapple topping. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
Strawberry Buttercream
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the strawberry topping. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
Vanilla Buttercream
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Slowly mix in the vanilla extract. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more sugar or milk until you find the right consistency,
Ganache
- In a small sauce pan, add the whipping cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add in chocolate chips. Do not mix or stir them in, let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let it cool for about 3-5 minutes.
beautiful cake for a beautiful girl!
Awww what a sweet girl! Love that you made this stunning cake for her 🙂 Happy Birthday JoJo!
What a ( Beautiful ) young lady, a very Happy Birthday to you Jojo and thank you for sharing your lovely birthday cake with me, i can almost taste it right now. God bless you and your lovely Mom, hugs , Mary Frances.
The Chocolate Butter Cream has no chocolate in the ingredients. It is in the directions but no amount. 🙁
Happy Happy Birthday Jojo!!!!!! You are such a cutie, but more important than that are all the wonderful things your Mom said about you! This sounds delicious and thank you for sharing!!!
it looks awesome
I’ve never seen anything like this. You’re very creative!