The "Secret Family Recipe Revealed!" Story

Carol's Banana-Split Dessert

It was an ordinary day.  Carol was getting items prepared for our Christmas dinner when we expect a total of 13 around our table to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  One of the items that she can get ready a few days ahead of time is the traditional family dessert.  It has become famous around our house and one of the first items that guests ask if we are having this year.  It's a secret recipe that she hasn't shared very often, but I managed to find it and sneak a few photos with my miniature pocket camera of her making it so that you too can be amazed at how good Carol's "Banana-Split" Dessert can be.  Don't tell her where you saw it, though.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Using a 9"x13" pan, sprinkle a layer of graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of pan. 

Slice enough bananas to cover the graham cracker crumbs.

Cut a 1 1/2 qt. container of vanilla ice cream into 1/2" slices.  The recipe actually calls for a half gallon container of ice cream, but since they don't make that size anymore, Carol has altered the recipe to the 1 1/2 qt. size.

Place the slices over the banana layer.

Chop slightly salted peanuts in a small blender.

Spread them over the layer of ice cream.  Place the pan in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate topping.

Make the chocolate sauce.  Add one stick of real salted butter and one cup of chocolate chips into a pan and melt over medium heat.  

Continue to stir as it is melting.

Stir in 2 cups of 10X powdered sugar.

Stir in one 12 oz. can of evaporated milk continuing to stir.

While stirring the mixture, allow it to come to a boil.  This will thicken the mixture.  This step will take at least 15 to 20 minutes before the mixture will boil.  Do not use more than medium temperature heat or the mixture may burn.  

Remove from heat and add one teaspoon of vanilla.    At this point you must wait until the mixture has cooled to room temperature or if you pour it on the ice cream, the ice cream will melt.  The mixture will not harden until placed back in the freezer so you don't have to worry about the chocolate mixture getting too hard.  

When cool, pour the mixture over the ice cream.

Now, the best part!  Lick the excess chocolate mixture off the spatula you used to cover the ice cream.  Place the tray of ingredients, with the chocolate topping on it, back in the freezer until the chocolate mixture has hardened.

After hard, cover the top with a layer (16 oz. container) of Cool Whip topping.

Sprinkle a light layer of graham cracker crumbs of top of Cool Whip.

You can decorate with colored sprinkles, according to the season.  Here Carol uses red and green sprinkles.  After your dinner, remove from the freezer, cut and serve.  Your guests will be delighted!!  Tell them LDub said so.