Tracy Gardner's Banana Split Cake

Multi award-winning author Tracy Gardner writes the popular Shepherd Sisters Mystery Series and the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery Series. She also writes award-winning women’s fiction under the name Jess Sinclair.

Some of Tracy's mysteries end with delicious recipes for food mentioned in the books.

The following recipe appears in Still Life and Death, book three in the Shepherd Sisters Mystery Series. You can learn more about this series at www.tracygardnerbeno.com.

Recipe Note From Author Tracy Gardner

In the third Shepherd Sisters Mystery, STILL LIFE AND DEATH, youngest sister Sydney makes this delicious dessert for her family’s Sunday dinner. The Shepherd family try their best to get together every Sunday, taking turns choosing and preparing the meal. Sydney’s little nephew Nolan has a major sweet tooth. This light and sweet summery “cake” is one of his favorites!

Banana Split Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 cup flour

• 1 stick butter

• 1/2 cup nuts

Filling:

• 2 packages cream cheese, 8 oz each

• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 1/4 cup whipped topping

• 1 cup strawberries, chopped into pieces

Layers:

• 2 to 4 sliced bananas

• 1 large box instant vanilla pudding (prepared with 1 1/2 cups milk)

• 1 large box instant chocolate pudding (prepared with 1 1/2 cups milk)

• 2 cups whipped topping

• 1 jar maraschino cherries

• 1 bottle chocolate syrup

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, and nuts and beat well with hand mixer (or food processer).

Press into the bottom of pan and bake until golden brown, 6-10 minutes (check often).

Allow crust to cool.

In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, whipped topping, and strawberries and beat well with hand mixer (or food processor).

Spread this mixture over baked crust.

Apply a thick layer of sliced bananas.

Prepare vanilla pudding with milk and pour over banana layer.

Prepare chocolate pudding with milk and pour over banana layer.

Cover with whipped topping.

Scatter maraschino cherries over topping.

Drizzle with thin pattern of chocolate syrup.

Chill for 1 hour and serve.