Description
This No-Bake Chocolate Banana Split Trifle is a delightful layered dessert combining creamy chocolate pudding, fresh bananas, crunchy graham crackers, and whipped cream. Perfect for a quick, no-cook treat, it’s topped with chocolate chips, maraschino cherries, and drizzled chocolate syrup for an irresistible sweet finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 4-5 bananas, sliced
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, halved
- Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Chocolate Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk together for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to set for 5 minutes.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Assemble the Trifle – First Layer: In a trifle dish or large glass bowl, spread one-third of the prepared chocolate pudding evenly at the bottom.
- Second Layer – Bananas: Arrange a layer of sliced bananas evenly over the chocolate pudding layer.
- Third Layer – Graham Crackers: Sprinkle a layer of crushed graham crackers on top of the bananas for a crunchy contrast.
- Fourth Layer – Whipped Cream: Spread one-third of the whipped cream mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
- Fifth Layer – Chocolate Chips and Cherries: Scatter half of the chocolate chips and maraschino cherry halves atop the whipped cream layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat these layers (pudding, bananas, graham crackers, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and cherries), finishing with a top layer of whipped cream.
- Garnish and Chill: Drizzle chocolate syrup over the top and garnish with additional chocolate chips and maraschino cherries. Refrigerate the trifle for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe but firm bananas to maintain good texture in the layers.
- This trifle can be assembled a few hours ahead of time; just cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free chocolate pudding mix.
- Graham crackers can be substituted with crushed vanilla wafers for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure the pudding is fully set before layering to prevent mixing of layers.
