Dessert of the Week--Banana Split Cake

So, I'm going to try something new. I'm going to try to post a new dessert recipe each week, as long as I have the time to do so. With Baby Monkey being so close to her arrival, things may be a little slow on here, but I'll do my best!

This recipe was shared with me by my stepmother. I know that she found it browsing online, but I can't find the exact one to save my life right now. So I'll post it in its entirety as it was given to me, then make a note at the bottom of the changes that I made, and the changes that I will make in the future.

Banana Split Cake

Ingredients: 
2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter or margarine
3/4 c. granulated sugar
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 large bananas, sliced
1 (15 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained well
16 oz. whipped topping, thawed
16 oz. maraschino cherries, drained well
1/4 c. chopped peanuts

Directions:
In a large bowl, melt butter. With fork, mix well with granulated sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Press mixture into bottom of a 10X13 cake pan. Chill in refrigerator while preparing other ingredients.

Beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar on medium speed. Spread mixture onto crust. Layer with bananas and pineapple

Banana Layer

Pineapple Layer

Top banana and pineapple evenly with whipped topping. Top cake with cherries and peanuts. Chill until ready to serve. 

Now, for my thoughts and changes:

This cake was great! Daddy Monkey did NOT want to share, but hey, Mommies are sneaky, and well, since he goes to work pretty early, I managed to slip a piece through for breakfast yesterday. Normally, I don't like banana splits, but this hit all the same notes and the different textures throughout it worked together and it has a great flavor. That said, I didn't go exactly by the recipe. Our family loves pineapple, so I used a whole 20 oz. can, and we aren't so big on cherries, so I only used 10 oz, and halved each one (note: they WILL dye your fingers, horribly). We also aren't big peanut eaters so I used a small jar of the pecans in caramel ice cream topping. In the future, I think I would also use the French Vanilla whipped topping, to give it more of an ice-creamy flavor, and top with chopped fresh strawberries instead of the cherries. By all means though, it is very good the way it is. Give it a try, you won't be sorry!

Also, if anyone can find the source of this recipe (in its original form), I will be more than happy to post a link to it. Whoever came up with this, thank you for a new summertime hit in our house!