For most people, the concept of making a banana split is actually a simple idea. First off, you need a bowl to accommodate the banana, which you probably might want to split across its length. Then add a few scoops of ice cream, and you’re good to go.
Obviously, you can always go out and get a banana split at some ice cream parlor in town. You’d have to dress up, though. Get to a Baskin Robbins, and you might have to pay a whopping $8.51 for a banana split. That’s not factoring in the money spent on fuel, and whatever impulse buy you might get while you’re there. And then there might even be traffic along the way.
So, it’s sometimes you just want to stay in, and make yourself a simple banana split while you’re in your sweatpants, on your couch, watching your favorite streaming TV show.
Isn’t a Banana Split an “Unhealthy Choice”?
From a certain point of view, it’s not really a healthy choice that a dietician would approve of completely. After all, a banana split generally comes with a lot of calories. And it also contains too much sugar, which has been linked to a wide range of health issues.
But the taste is marvelous, and it’s hard to deny that a good banana split can really make you smile. So, it’s all a matter of moderation. A banana split every now and then isn’t a big deal, but it’s a more serious matter if you enjoy one each day.
Besides, it does have banana, which gives you lots of potassium along with other vitamins and minerals. It’s not all that bad.
Tips on Making a Great Banana Split
Of course, not all banana splits are equally good, especially if you’re making them yourself. So, here are some tips.
The Bowl
A great banana split, like any other dish, becomes better depending on the presentation. And your banana split should come in a large enough bowl to accommodate the banana. It can be made from plastic or glass, but it’s better if it’s transparent so you can see through it and appreciate the visual aspects of the treat.
The Banana
First off, you need the right banana. It shouldn’t be too soft as it might be unpleasantly mushy, but it shouldn’t be too hard, either. The level of sweetness should be just right as well. You’ll likely get that right sweetness level if you pick a not too hard banana with a few freckles in it.
Also, don’t store the banana in plain view. The room temperature banana doesn’t mix as well with the cold ice cream as a cold banana.
Once you take the banana out of the fridge, use a sharp knife to split it across its length. Set each half on opposite sides of the bowl, so you have some space in the middle. That way, you have some room for the ice cream component.
The Ice Cream
Traditionally, you want 3 scoops of ice cream for the whole banana. This is the perfect ratio of ice cream to banana, so just go with it. You can always go with 3 scoops of the same flavor, but that can get rather boring and tiresome. It’s best to get 3 different flavors so you can mix some ice cream flavors, and it’s not as boring. At the very least, have 2 scoops of one flavor and 1 scoop of another flavor. You can also use a smaller scoop to fit in even more scoops of ice cream in the bowl, and maybe even more flavors.
Which flavors should you get? That’s really up to you and your personal preferences. Part of the fun is experimenting which 3 flavors mix nicely, at least according to your taste buds. Some people even discover that they can use 3 ice cream flavors that they don’t really like, but then they taste great when they combine in a banana split.
Traditionally, though, the flavors used are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Perhaps that’s because these are among the most popular ice cream flavors around the world. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try the following combos:
Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Chunk, and Mint Chocolate Chip
Top each scoop with some Andes mint, as the green mint will really enhance the taste. Then drizzle the whole thing with chocolate syrup, and sprinkle with crumbled bits of Oreo Cookies.
2 Scoops of Chocolate Chunk with 1 Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
This is the “S’mores” version that might make you feel like you’re camping. Put on some hot fudge on top, along with marshmallow fluff, crushed graham crackers, and chunks of chocolate.
Strawberry, Peanut Brittle, and Chocolate Hazelnut
Drizzle some warm peanut butter on top, and top each scoop with a raspberry or strawberry (instead of cherries).
The Toppings
There are 4 basic categories here. The whipped cream comes on each scoop. Then there’s the drizzle of the sauce (the hot fudge). Sprinkle the crunch (crushed peanuts), and the maraschino cherries on top of the whipped cream.
Have fun, and enjoy!
