Banana Split Fluff Salad
A delightful reinvention of a classic American dessert, Banana Split Fluff Salad is a vibrant and creamy fusion of tropical fruits, marshmallows, and pudding. Ideal for gatherings, it delivers the nostalgic charm of a banana split in a spoonable, fluffy form.
Ingredients
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips plus additional for garnish
- 16 oz fresh strawberries hulled and finely chopped
- 3.4 oz box instant banana pudding mix
- 10 oz jar maraschino cherries drained and stemmed (reserve a few for garnish)
- ½ cup chopped peanuts or walnuts with extra for serving
- 4 cups mini marshmallows approximately two-thirds of a 10 oz bag
- 8 oz container of Cool Whip thawed
- 40 oz crushed pineapple in juice two 20 oz cans
- 3 large ripe bananas thinly sliced
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Sprinkles
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the dry banana pudding mix with the crushed pineapple and its juice, stirring until the mixture thickens and the powder fully dissolves.
- Incorporate the thawed Cool Whip gently into the pudding blend using a rubber spatula until fully integrated.
- Carefully fold in the banana slices, strawberries, marshmallows, maraschino cherries, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts, ensuring that the ingredients are evenly distributed and well-coated in the creamy pudding base.
- Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and chill for 2 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to become luxuriously smooth.
- Prior to serving, garnish with reserved maraschino cherries, additional chocolate chips, and chopped nuts. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and add sprinkles or whipped cream as desired.
Notes
For optimal flavor and texture, do not skip the chilling step—this allows the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to intensify.
Keep the pineapple juice as it aids in dissolving the pudding mix and enhances the creaminess.
To prevent the bananas from browning prematurely, you may dip them in lemon juice, though this can introduce a subtle citrus note.
A homemade stabilized whipped cream can substitute Cool Whip: beat 1½ cups of heavy cream with 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar until nearly stiff peaks form.
If banana pudding mix is unavailable, alternative flavors like vanilla, cheesecake, or coconut cream can be used effectively.
Keep the pineapple juice as it aids in dissolving the pudding mix and enhances the creaminess.
To prevent the bananas from browning prematurely, you may dip them in lemon juice, though this can introduce a subtle citrus note.
A homemade stabilized whipped cream can substitute Cool Whip: beat 1½ cups of heavy cream with 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar until nearly stiff peaks form.
If banana pudding mix is unavailable, alternative flavors like vanilla, cheesecake, or coconut cream can be used effectively.