The Foodbuzz team is participating in a great cause to help raise funds (and awareness) for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). They’ve set out to do this by inviting all Featured Publishers to post on one theme: Banana Splits. For each banana split post submitted by noon on Friday, July 16, Foodbuzz will donate $50 for the cause. On Monday, the daily Foodbuzz Top 9 event will feature the best banana split posts received.
I think that it’s such a good idea to use a fun theme for a rather serious matter; the goal is for greater participation, right? As someone who had a cancer scare two years ago, I can attest that nothing wipes fun away from your overall outlook more quickly than thinking you might have cancer. I was lucky. After a series of tests and a horrifying couple of weeks wondering if my life would be cut short, I was told that I didn’t have cancer.
Two years ago this month, I felt like I was given a second chance at life. It’s something I don’t take for granted because I know I’ve escaped the physical and emotional pain that many others have to endure. I salute you who power on everyday and you have my admiration and prayers. If you are reading this and would like to help raise money for OCRF, please visit the Kelly Confidential website.
I had grand ideas for this banana split post: Make my own vanilla-almond ice cream, use banana chips or fried bananas, prepare a ganache and a fruit topping. However, I’ll be heading out of town tomorrow for a cycling weekend so I couldn’t follow through on my plans. I also realized that banana splits are supposed to be easy, fun, simple. And, being around kids last week brought my attention to items in the grocery store that I haven’t noticed in a long time, namely ice cream accompaniments like chocolate syrup and the Smuckers Magic Shell. Then I thought, why not?
Looking back now, I hope that this still qualifies as a banana split. All the main components are here–the ice cream, banana, fruit, whipped cream and chocolate syrup. I also intended for the chocolate shell to completely encase the ice cream and fruit but that didn’t work. Hey, creativity is not my strongest suit, I admit it. I think that the idea, in my head, was much better than the execution. Flavor-wise, though, this was 100% a banana split!
Banana “Split” Tower
- Breyers Neapolitan Ice Cream (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry), one portion for each flavor
- 1 banana, cut crosswise
- A few fresh strawberries, sliced
- Smucker’s Magic Shell (chocolate syrup that hardens once poured)
- Whipped Cream
- Chopped Almonds
I used a round cookie cutter to shape the ice cream. After doing this for all three flavors, you might have to put the ice cream “disks” back in the freezer to harden again. Once they are ready, layer sliced bananas, sliced strawberries and one of the ice cream flavors. Repeat the process ending with the third ice cream flavor. Drizzle with the magic shell. Top with chopped almonds and whipped cream. Enjoy!
This looks delish! Yum! I’ll have to try this some time for dessert. I wish I would have had time to participate in this event since it’s for a good cause, but I was working all week and didn’t have time 🙁
Thanks, Jennifer. I’m sure there will be another chance to participate. We all get busy! 🙂
What a delicious looking banana tower, and what a great cause too! My grandmother successfully battled ovarian cancer, and I’m so glad that foodbuzz is supporting such a worthy cause. I wish I hadn’t been traveling this week because I would have loved to do this!
Next time, Monet. I’m glad your grandmother beat the cancer battle. Glad to hear it. 🙂
Looks great to me! Thank you for supporting such a great cause!
Your banana split is also very beautiful. I love the height with ice cream and how you named it “leaning”
Very creative. I have a kid here who will LOVE this!
I love banana splits! This looks great, and I definitely think it qualifies.
Jean, this looks so, so delicious. I can just dig into this. What a wonderful idea to cut the ice cream into rounds!
And I am so glad that your scare was just that…a scare. Cancer truly does transform your outlook on life.
Have a lovely weekend 🙂
This looks great! Creative shmeative… you did a wonderful job!!
Thanks, Ellen!
This looks wonderful. It gets my vote!
Looks fantastic! It’s great that Foodbuzz is supporting such a worthy cause and I hope your Leaning Tower is in the Top 9!
Hi Jean, leaning tower looks amazing and it’s only 10AM but this would be perfect right now, it’s SO hot! I too had a similar scare 6 years ago but the cells weren’t cancerous. We’re both super lucky. I’m glad you’re participating in this contest for a good cause. Hope you win!
Yes, we are lucky, Judy. Doesn’t it change your overall perspective on life? Glad we’re both around to enjoy the little things in life like this banana split. 🙂
i love your blog ! just my way of cooking-experimenting & improvising : ) im a pasta lover and you got tons of simple & easy recipes im dying to try … will be on the lookout for more : ) cheers !
A worthy cause and a smashing-looking dessert! It says ” I want to live and I want to have fun”
Yummy! I want one right now!!
Wow…I like the banana split tower! 🙂
So glad that you are okay! Great cause that you are supporting. Love your leaning banana split – so cleaver!!! Good Job!!!
Thank heavens it was only a scare ! Such a great cause, was not able to participate due to a crazy week but looking at all these splits have me on a sugar high !
Summer and banana splits go hand in hand. Also, for a great cause. I, too, had a cancer scare (with ovarian cancer) just a year ago. I am so happy for each day! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Yummy! Yummy and quick? Perfect! I’m sure not only children loved it! I need to go to buy bananas now:)
Beautiful leaning banana split tower, I wish I could give it a try,congratulations on a fantastic creation!
This is truly a tower of power. Like your idea and use of the cookie cutter to shape the ice cream for the tower. A delicious treat made for an important and worthy cause.
Congrats on the Top 9! Now, can we eat it 🙂
Thanks, Priscilla! 🙂
I’m having a banana split theme this summer! I’ve been making the dessert four times these past two weeks, and it’s sooo good! I think I never will get sick of it 😀
Hey! Congrats on your recognition, and for such a good cause. I love bananas, so I’m always super down for a banana split, because it’s taking something awesome, and adding sugar and fat to it, which is pretty excellent. Anyway, I love your take on the classic, because it is so visually interesting, but the ingredients are simple and accessible to anybody, which is so important when it’s something so… American. Good work!
– Lauren, Lauren’s Little Kitchen
Lauren, thanks so much. My nephews and nieces inspired this so I give them credit!
Congrats on Top 9! This looks so yummy!