Glossary · Ice cream & treats
Banana split
Definition
A banana split is a banana cut lengthways with ice cream between the halves, finished with sauces, cream, nuts and often a cherry.
The banana split is an American dessert from the early twentieth century. A banana is cut in half lengthways and laid in a long dish, with scoops of ice cream in the middle and sauces, cream, chopped nuts and a cherry on top. More than one town in the United States claims to have served the first one.
It became a fixture of British cafés and seaside parlours, and it remains a nostalgic order for many adults. It needs fresh fruit and a long dish, so it suits a sit-down setting more than a busy van queue. It is not on our standard menu. If you want something in the same spirit for an event, our Boat Sundae and Knickerbocker Glories are the closest options, and you are welcome to ask us about anything special.
Related terms
- SundaeA sundae is ice cream served in a dish or tub and topped with sauce, plus extras such as nuts, sprinkles or a wafer. It is eaten with a spoon.
- Knickerbocker GloryA Knickerbocker Glory is a tall layered sundae of ice cream, sauce and toppings, served in a tall glass and eaten with a long spoon.
- Chopped nutsChopped nuts are a classic sundae topping of small pieces of roasted nuts. They add crunch, but nuts are major allergens and need careful handling.
- The full glossary54 terms, from soft serve to street trading licences.
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