National Banana Split Day

National Banana Split Day is August 25th! Here’s Everything You Need to Know about this Delicious Dessert.

Ah, the banana split. Few desserts are as evocative of carefree summer days as this ice cream-topped treat. And there’s no better time to enjoy a banana split than on National Banana Split Day—which just so happens to be today, August 25th! But where did the banana split come from? And what are the best ways to enjoy this classic dessert? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the banana split.

History of the Banana Split

The banana split we know and love today was invented in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1904 by David Evans Strickler, a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist at Tassel Pharmacy. According to legend, Strickler came up with the idea for the banana split after noticing that young women were particularly fond of ordering ice cream sodas at his pharmacy counter. Wanting to come up with a more elaborate—and, crucially, more expensive—dessert that would appeal to this demographic, Strickler hit upon the idea of adding bananas, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup to an ice cream sundae. The rest, as they say, is history.

Types of Banana Splits

These days, there are nearly as many different ways to enjoy a banana split as there are people eating them. While the classic recipe calls for simply splitting a banana lengthwise and topping it with scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream before smothering the whole thing in whipped cream and chocolate syrup, there are endless variations on this basic theme. Love peanut butter? Try a peanut butter cup banana split. Prefer your sweets on the tart side? Lemonade or sour cherry pie filling makes a delicious addition to a traditional banana split sundae. Craving something truly over-the-top? Load up your banana split with marshmallow fluff, fudge sauce, and everything else you can think of for an indulgent treat that’s sure to satisfy even the sweetest tooth. No matter how you like your banana splits, there’s bound to be a recipe out there that’s perfect for you.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a spoon and head to your nearest ice cream shop for a delicious banana split today! And if you’re feeling extra festive, why not whip up a batch of these tasty treats at home? Your friends and family are sure to thank you for it—and who knows? You might just start a new tradition in the process.