by Carol Gioia

Created on: July 19, 2008

Banana splits and brownies would both make the "Favorite desserts in the world" list by anyone's opinion poll. Pizza is the all American favorite fast food. Mix them all together and create an outstanding and unequaled "instant" dessert treat.

Instant does not refer to the time it takes to make it, but rather the time it takes to eat it.

This is a good recipe for a children's birthday party, in lieu of cake and ice cream, or to serve at your child's end of season sport celebration for the team, or even for a teenage social gathering. Actually, the banana split brownie pizza has no preferred demographic; toddlers to seniors will all dig in enthusiastically and this dessert is sure to light up every face with a delightful smile.

"No Holds Barred" banana split brownie pizza (serves 8-10)

- Ingredients -

1 box of brownie mix (Duncan Hines Chewy Chocolate for best results)
1/2 gallon Neapolitan ice cream
3 bananas, sliced and dipped in lemon juice to eliminate browning
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Small can of crushed pineapple
Hershey chocolate sauce
1 can Redi Whip
1 pkg crushed pecans
Small jar of maraschino cherries

- Directions -

* Prepare brownie mix per instructions on the box. Spread in greased 15 inch round pizza pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until done. Let cool.

* Set ice cream out to allow to soften slightly

* Spread layer of ice cream thickly over cooled brownie pizza shell

* Densely Spread banana slices around on top of ice cream

* Drain and spread crushed pineapple over bananas, lightly covering entire round

* Spread sliced strawberries densely over pineapple mixture, making scalloped pattern if desired

* Dribble chocolate sauce over strawberries

* Sprinkle nuts onto chocolate

* Make florets with Redi Whip in pattern of choice around top of pizza

* Put a cherry on top of each floret

Refrigerate to set; slice as you would pizza and serve

This is, of course, a "work quickly and serve almost immediately" dessert, but the heavenly results are worth the effort.

"No Holds Barred" banana split brownie pizza is synonymous with "fun," and even if you mess up the recipe, you will not be embarrassed to ask your guests to grab a spoon and join in when you "eat your mistake."

- Disclaimer -

The author can neither calculate nor be held responsible for the amount of calories in "No Holds Barred" banana split brownie pizza.

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