By Jeanni Ritchie
National Banana Split Day recognizes the sweet ice cream treat served with a banana, whipped cream, and various toppings. Get yours on August 25!
The Origin
23-year-old apprentice pharmacist David Evans Strickler created the first banana split in 1904 at Tassel’s Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Originally served in drug stores, soda fountains, and ice cream parlors, the banana split is now found on menus in restaurants as well. It’s also easy to whip up your own.
The Classic Banana Split
To make a traditional banana split, cut the banana lengthwise and place it in a long boat dish. Then add scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between the slices of banana. Each scoop gets a topping; add crushed pineapple to the strawberry, drizzle chocolate syrup over the vanilla, and add strawberry topping to the chocolate. Next, sprinkle with crushed nuts. Finally, garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
Mix It Up
The beauty of the banana split is that you can customize it to your own taste preferences. A self-professed chocoholic, I omit the scoop of strawberry and add an extra chocolate scoop instead. I add hot fudge to the vanilla and chocolate and caramel syrups to the chocolate scoops, making sure the bananas are coated with the syrupy combo as well. Light whipped cream topped with nuts and frozen chocolate chip cookie dough bits finish it off. I love the concept of the cherry on top though it’s strictly for aesthetics!
There are endless possibilities in crafting a banana split. Create your own concoction today or visit your favorite ice cream shop and share your treat on social media using #NationalBananaSplitDay.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana with a gigantic sweet tooth. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.