Death of a Chocolate Banana Split Cake

Two of my favorite flavors are chocolate and banana. I don’t usually eat them together, but one day last week I had a desire for a nice slice of chocolate cake. There were two bananas on the counter (sorry, banana trees are for monkeys), so I thought why not make that Chocolate Banana Split Cake my cousin, Jean Brown Craft Batts, raved about a few years ago.

It just so happened that the local ladies club was having a dessert social that day and had invited members to bring a favorite sweet to share. Thank goodness! I really didn’t want to have to eat the whole Chocolate Banana Split Cake by myself.

I had already entered the Chocolate Banana Split Cake recipe into my family cookbook using my cookbook software. I located it easily by using the “Go To” search field at the bottom of the “Recipes” template.  I simply typed in Chocolate Banana Split Cake, and it popped up effortlessly from the hundreds of family recipes within my family cookbook.

CHOCOLATE BANANA SPLIT CAKE
1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared according to package directions
2 small packages instant vanilla pudding
1 12-ounce can reduced fat evaporated milk
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 8-ounce carton Cool Whip
3 Tablespoons chopped pecans
3 Tablespoons chocolate syrup
5 Maraschino cherries, chopped

Combine all ingredients listed on the chocolate cake mix box, and bake in a 9-inch x 13-inch oblong pan (sprayed with Pam). When cooled, cut chocolate cake in half lengthwise, creating two long thin layers. Stir milk into instant pudding mix, following package directions. Mix pudding until slightly thickened.

Spread ½ of pudding over the bottom layer of the chocolate cake, then top it with sliced bananas.  Add the second chocolate cake layer, and continue topping it with the remaining instant pudding and bananas, followed by a layer of pineapple, and then Cool Whip on top.  Sprinkle with nuts and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Top with cherries.  Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Eat!

I spent most of the morning tending to the Chocolate Banana Split Cake, eager to have my slice of chocolate cake at last (now enhanced with goodies similar to a banana split at the ice cream parlor).  As I recall, Jean told me this recipe for Chocolate Banana Split Cake was adapted from a popular Southern recipe being exchanged called Banana Split Cake.  I carefully placed the cherries on top, and had just enough time to chill it and dress for the party.

When I arrived at the clubhouse for the ladies club dessert social, I got out of the car with the Chocolate Banana Split Cake in tow. I was so proud it had survived several high bumps in the parking lot as I cautiously maneuvered over them slow enough to race a certain shelled garden creature (one I find so repulsive that I refuse to identify).

Then it happened. I somehow tripped over the neighborhood feral cat while it skittered across the parking lot, presumably away from the loose dog on the sidewalk. While I did the splits, the Chocolate Banana Split Cake did the splats.

I wasn’t injured, but the Chocolate Banana Split Cake was top down on the pavement with no hope of recovery.

“Darn, I sure did want to try that Chocolate Banana Split Cake recipe!  Maybe I will make it again soon, as I never did get my slice of chocolate cake that day.  This time I”ll invite a few neighbors close to home.”

Happy cookbooking,

Erin