Swirls of strawberry pie filling and a rich and creamy chocolate topping make this amazing Banana Split Cheesecake an incredible dessert. It's the perfect summer dessert for any picnic or BBQ.
This post really has nothing to do with this banana cheesecake recipe that is staring you in the face. Other than it is to celebrate this big life change we just made.
My husband started his new full-time job today as an assistant pastor at our church. Over the past year, we have been making changes in our family to get ready to follow this dream and conviction.
I know that God will provide all our needs, and we will be fine because we are following God's will for our lives.It is going to be an adjustment to living with less.
I am ok with this now. Honestly, a couple of months ago, I wasn't so sure! Oh, I didn't have any doubts about following my husband into ministry. We have been in ministry ever since we got married, so that wasn't going to be a hard change.
The hard part comes in giving up a very decent salary for a ministry salary. The materialistic part of me liked being able to buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I liked have good health and dental insurance. Over the past 14 years of marriage, we have been in different jobs with different pay, and do you know what? We have never been lacking. God has always provided just what we needed, when we needed it. It is amazing to me to look back over the years and see how much He has provided for us.
One of my favorite verses is "My God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 I am clinging to that as we move into this new position of life.
How many of you do the one word resolutions? For the past few years, I have picked one word that I want to focus on for the year. I have been thinking for the past few weeks about what I wanted that word to be. And I kept coming up with nothing. Nothing jumped out at me...nothing seemed to fit just right. Until today at church. Today's service was communion and what God means to you. We filled out cards with one or two words that describe what God means in our lives. As I sat praying and thinking, there was a video playing on the screen. A video that showed Jesus' ministry on earth and how He amazed the people in everything He did. The word that kept popping up on different screens was the word AMAZED! That was it! That was the one word!
The dictionary describes AMAZED as being filled with wonder; to cause amazement. 2013 is going to be a life changer for us big time. How do I see that word being part of our life?
I want to be open every morning to being amazed by God's unconditional love for me and for my family.
I want to be amazed at how God chooses to supply our needs.
I want to keep being amazed by my husband for giving up a high paying job because God called him to ministry.
I want to teach my kids the amazement and joy that can come from being in God's will, even when it means having less.
Over the past year, I have been amazed as I stepped away from blogging as a hobby. This year I have started to look at blogging as a part-time/full-time job to help supplement my family in our new position. I love that something I enjoy doing has enabled me to pay some of our daily bills. God has opened so many doors for me with blogging, and I am excited to be amazed in what this next year holds. Without my blog, I would have to most likely work outside the home and maybe not be home for my kids during breaks. I may not be the most perfect mom all the time (hello, I have patience issues), but I want to always be available at all time for when my kids need me.
Blogging is something that I enjoy doing, but at some point I knew all the time I was putting into it, would need to become a job with a real paycheck. I know that I have a long way to go before I consider it a full time job, and I am ok with that. Remember what I said earlier? God is going to provide what our family needs when we need it. I don't have high aspirations of becoming rich on blogging, but I do want to provide for my family in a way that I love. And if that means it stays a part-time job, I am ok with that.
Some of my blog goals for this coming year include:
1. Go to a conference. (I have already bought my ticket to BlogHer...woo hoo!)
2. Learn how to use the Photo Shop Elements that has been sitting on my computer for a year.
3. Branch out a little and post some more dinner ideas.
4. Plan out a daily schedule for blogging and housework.
5. Eat more cheesecake. Ok, I just threw that in there to see if you had stuck with me through this long post.
Ok, let's get to this gorgeous banana split cheesecake. I think this just might have been the best one I have ever made. The key to this creamy cheesecake is baking it at a lower temperature for longer. Ok, for a lot longer. I was getting nervous that I was over baking it, but when we cut into it I was happy to see how creamy and perfect it was all the way through. The banana flavor was subtle enough to not overpower you, but it was definitely there.
Let's talk about the crust for a minute. Banana split is an ice cream flavor, so I decided to crush up some waffle cones and press it into a springform pan as a crust. You will either like it or you won't . I liked the flavor that it added to the cheesecake, but my husband didn't like the texture. I'm going to be honest with you here. I was hoping that the crust would be slightly crunchier, like a cone. But heating up the cones makes them a little bit softer. It will harden back up as the cheesecake cools, but not as hard as a cone. Feel free to substitute graham cracker crumbs if you think you won't like it with the waffle cone crust. Personally I kind of liked it because it was different.
And what better way to incorporate some chocolate into the banana split but with a chocolate ganache. Is there anything better than a warm chocolate ganache? I had to lick the pan clean after pouring it over the cheesecake. No way was I wasting even one drop of that deliciousness!!! Part of me thought about scraping some off, but I resisted that urge. What? You know you would think the same thing!
I'm thinking that this would be a great end to a home made Valentine's dinner for your sweetie.
More Banana Split Desserts:
- Dessert Salad
- Banana Split Bundt Cake
- Banana Split Popcorn
- Banana Split Dessert
- Banana Split Coffee Cake
- Banana Split Icebox Cake
- Banana Split Brownie Pie

Banana Split Cheesecake Recipe
This creamy Banana Split Cheesecake is swirled with strawberry pie filling and topped with a chocolate ganache making it taste like the ice cream treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups waffle cone crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup smashed bananas
- 1 - 21 ounce can strawberry pie filling
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Cool Whip
- cherries with stems
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°. Place a large sheet pan on the bottom rack of the oven and fill halfway with water.
- Line a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the waffle cone crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and flour and beat again.
- Stir in the banana puree by hand.
- Pour the cheesecake batter onto the crust. Drop spoonfuls of pie filling on top of the cheesecake and swirl gently.
- Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan.
- Let the cheesecake cool for 1-2 hours, then place the pan in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.
- Remove the sides of the springform pan and place the cheesecake on a serving platter or plate.
- In a small saucepan, bring the whipping cream to a low simmer. Remove from the heat immediately and add the chocolate chips. Let it sit for 1 - 2 minutes. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Pour the chocolate on top of the chilled cheesecake and smooth it out letting some of the chocolate drip over the sides. Refrigerate until set.
- Garnish with Cool Whip, sprinkles, and cherries, if desired. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
*You can substitute graham cracker crumbs if you don't think you will like the waffle cone crust.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 585Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 9g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

*This post contains an affiliate link. By clicking through and purchasing products, I receive a very small percentage of sales. Free links like this help me keep this blog going.
Debbie
Hi
My store doesn't carry strawberry pie filling. Can I substitute cherry pie filling?
Jocelyn
Yes, cherry pie filling would work just as well. I hope you enjoy the cheesecake!
Eden Passante
Love this idea! All the best things put together! Looks amazing!
kentuckylady717
Did you get my comment ?
Jocelyn
I did 🙂 I answered, but then changed my response after I posted. Did you get it?
kentuckylady717
No, sorry did not get it....
Jocelyn
I commented here...not in an email.
kentuckylady717
Yep, I got it 🙂 Thanks
kentuckylady717
Don't know how I missed this in 2013 ! I love cheesecake, but not bananas...how can I make this and omit the bananas ? Any suggestions ? I like all your recipes minus the bananas.....the bundt cake looks wonderful too.....
Yeah, I have wondered why you are not fat, with all these delicious desserts that you make 🙂 you probably give half of them away....that is if your hubby and kids will let you 🙂
Jocelyn
You could make it and just leave the bananas out. I would probably add 1/2 cup sour cream to it instead. Most of the time there is so many sweets in the house that my family doesn't even notice when I give stuff away. LOL!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Being the wife of a full time music minister I totally understand all of what you are saying! Congrats and welcome to the journey!
Cheryl Clair
Here in Ireland, we do not have pie filling in a can, however, we do have strawberries in a can. Would that work? Would I need to thicken it? Congratulation on your awesome new life change. Praise God for your husband's calling to the ministry.
Jocelyn
Thank you so much 🙂 Are the strawberries in juice? If so, yes you would need to thicken them up some. Here is my recipe for homemade strawberry pie filling also. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/2014/03/homemade-strawberry-pie-filling/ I hope you enjoy the cheesecake!
Amy@theidearoom
Looks delicious! Sharing on fb today!
Julie
Congrats on your husband's new job and to you both as you start this new ministry together! So exciting! My husband switched from pastoral studies in college to engineering. We've been youth leaders for the past 16 years together, but in the back of his mind is always that thought of some day becoming a pastor. Haven't taken that plunge yet, though:) And...I stopped over because I knew this cheesecake would be a great Valentine's dessert for my hubby! It looks fantastic!
Dawn
You make me want to bake.. No NEED to bake lol It's just so darn cute!! Well I guess I'l diet another day 😀
Jessica
I am going to try and make this tonight. I never made cheesecake before. I don't understand the pan of water? And when do you actually take it out of the pan?
Jocelyn Brubaker
The pan of water is just an extra cookie sheet with hot water in it that sit on the rack under the cheesecake. The steam from the water helps keep the cheesecake from cracking. I leave the cheesecakes in the springform pan until it has chilled completely which is usually no less than 4 hours in the refrigerator. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions.
jessica
Thanks so much! and one more question - when you pour the chocolate over the top, do you remove it from the pan first?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, I take it out of the springform pan before adding the chocolate glaze.
Tiffany Gregory
Can I turn these into cupcake liners instead of the springform pan?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, that would work just fine. You will need to lower the baking time by quite a bit though. Probably 20-25 minute...
Tiffany Gregory
I meant put not turn 🙂
Poodles
Jocelyn, I especially enjoyed reading this post. If you are in God's will, He WILL supply your needs. I cannot wait to try this cheesecake! I may make it for the next supper club I sponsor.
Keep the recipes coming! Poodles
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much!!! God definitely provides for us every single day. I hope you enjoy the cheesecake!
Nicole
So you put a pan of hot water underneath? Not a water bath?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, I always put a large baking sheet with hot water on the rack under the cheesecake.
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate
Hi, Jocelyn! Stopping by to let you know that I featured your AMAZING Banana Split Cheesecake on my blog today: http://www.chattingoverchocolate.com/2013/07/banana-splits-dozen-pinteresting-ways.html ... Thanks for sharing the incredible recipe to this gorgeous treat!! Have a terrific day! 🙂
Cathy
Yum! This looks amazing!
I would love for you to link up to my TGIF Link Party! Who knows, you just might be featured next week!
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-peek-into-my-paradise-tgif-link-party.html
Cathy
Michelle
I bake all the desserts for our local Lutheran High School's Dinner Auction so I was looking for new inspirations this year. I brought up your page because of the cheesecake, but God used it as a reminder to me during a busy Easter week. We too are facing changes in our life with a move, change of job and schools, etc. You repeated what I have found to be true my whole life -God will provide abundantly above what we need! He has blessed our family so much. We made a decision that I would not seek work outside our home while we raised our children. Our youngest has only two years of high school left (and we had four so one is already finished with college). Wow, be amazed how fast time goes! I pray that the Lord of Love will continue to amaze you with his love and grace all your days!
Jerri
That looks so delicious!
Arrica
Could you use mashed bananas instead of the purée?
Jocelyn Brubaker
That is what I used. Just smash the bananas until you have the amount you need 🙂
Mrs Happy Homemaker
Jocelyn - this looks fantastic!! I've featured it this week on the Mrs 🙂
http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2013/01/the-bulletin-board-18/
Crystal
Karly
Congrats on the new job for your husband. That's so exciting for your family!
And, I think everyone's resolutions should include "eat more cheesecake." Because, DUH.
Thanks for linking this up to What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Karly. We are excited to see what happens next. And eat more cheesecake should always be on the resolution list for sure!!!