Banana Split Icebox Cake Recipe 455

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with long pieces of plastic wrap. Whip the cream to stiff peaks in a large bowl with a mixer. Slice the bananas about 1/4 inch thick.
• Spread one-third of the whipped cream on the bottom of the pan. Cover with half of the banana slices in concentric circles, then top with half of the animal crackers in concentric circles. Repeat with another layer of whipped cream, bananas and crackers. Finish with the remaining whipped cream. Wrap up the cake and refrigerate overnight to let the crackers soften.
• To serve, unwrap the cake and invert it onto a plate. Thinly slice the remaining banana. Garnish the cake with the banana slices arranged around the edge and a few animal crackers in the middle.

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the diced strawberries with 1 to 2 tablespoons water until thick and smooth. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and strawberry puree and continue whipping until slightly stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.
• For each dessert, place a chocolate cookie on a plate. Dollop with 1 tablespoon of the strawberry whipped cream; gently press another cookie on top. Repeat, alternating cookies and whipped cream, to make a stack 6 cookies high, ending with a cookie. Wrap lightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the cookies soften slightly, 3 to 4 hours. Cover and refrigerate the remaining whipped cream.
• Just before serving, use an offset spatula or butter knife to smooth the sides of the cakes. Top each cake with a few strawberry and banana slices and some of the remaining whipped cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with peanuts and top with a maraschino cherry.