Ingredients

The traditional split: Cut one large banana in half lengthwise. Place banana halves in a horizontal dessert dish. Arrange three small ice cream scoops between the banana slices: one strawberry, one chocolate, one vanilla ice cream.
Drizzle with butterscotch topping and chocolate syrup. Add puffs of whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed pecans or walnuts. Add a maraschino cherry.
Using average ice cream, a banana split will pack 670 calories, 23 grams of fat, 9 grams protein.

Michigan's Cherry Banana Split: Omit butterscotch sauce. Drizzle with melted cherry preserves.

New Orleans Banana Split Foster: Omit butterscotch sauce and chocolate syrup. Heat 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract in a skillet until melted. Add banana, cut side down; cook 1 or 2 minutes or until golden brown on bottom. Prepare banana split as directed and drizzle with rum sauce.

Directions

Tropical Island Banana Split: Omit chocolate syrup and nuts. Prepare banana split as directed and sprinkle with 1/4 cup drained crushed pineapple and 2 tablespoons toasted flaked coconut.