Warm Weather Dessert # 2

    As I mentioned in the posting, 'Warm Weather Dessert # 1', in warm weather, we start wanting different kinds of desserts. Today, I am posting recipe # 2 in the *series I had started. The series will feature a few desserts that we are not limited to making only in warm weather months, but that is when we usually enjoy them much more.
   As recipe # 1 did, in my recipe box, this particular recipe too states that it came from my mom - Pat. Burg.. And yes, If I were a betting woman, I'd again bet that this recipe came from some magazine ad in the late ' 60's or ' 70's. ;-}

        Today's feature: warm weather dessert # 2:
              (No Bake) Banana Split Dessert
                       

{note here - while I am listing everything in the order which it goes into the pan, I do switch things up a bit in the order of preparing the layers.
- I find it best to first get the 2nd layer draining.
- Then I prep the crust.
- While the crust chills, I prep the 1st layer.
- I then continue to let the 2nd layer drain during the time the first layer chills. Last time I didn't allow it to chill the whole hour. I should have. While it still tasted wonderful, it did not set up the way it should have.}

   Crust: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (8 doubles)
              1 Tablespoon sugar
              1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
         ~ To make crust.
   - place graham crackers in a used bread bag, fold the end over a couple of times, and use a rolling pin to crush the graham crackers. Then keep rolling over them until they are finely crushed.
   - dump crushed graham crackers into a bowl, add the 1 Tablespoon of sugar, melt the 1/2 cup of butter and pour it on top. Then use a pastry blender to mix everything together well, with out lumps.
   - Spread crust mixture into bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, or the deep part of an older style Tupperware rectangular cake taker. Chill in fridge for 1/2 hour.

   1 st layer: 2 cups powdered sugar
                    1/2 cup (1 stick) soft butter
                    1 teasp. vanilla
                    2 eggs
     Mix well and beat fifteen (yes - 15!) minutes. (this is one of the times I am ever so thankful for the stand mixer my MIL gave me one year for Christmas!!!) Place in chilled crust and chill for an additional hour.

   2 nd layer: add and spread out the WELL DRAINED #2 can (15 oz) crushed pineapple.

   3 rd layer: chopped up semi sweet Nestle choc. chips
     {for the record, this particular layer is not listed on my mom's recipe. But several years ago now, my brother Craig suggested it, adding that he couldn't believe I had never thought of it, what with my thinking chocolate goes with practically everything (o;-p) smart alick. I started adding it and got rave reviews over it. Well, all but from one son. There's always somebody ...}

   4 th layer: two or three (2 or 3) thinly sliced very firm bananas
      (the greener the peel, the firmer your banana, which is best for a layered dessert like this. It's the opposite when your doing baking. Then it's the blacker the peel, the moister the final product will be. <-- bonus tip there ;-))

   5 th layer: 9 ounce of whipped topping (aka: Cool Whip - for the non 'make every thing yourselfers' ;-p))

   Optional garnishes: chopped nuts (I used pecans) and marchino cherries (which I spread out on doubled paper toweling and drain for awhile first).

   CHILL FOR SEVERAL (3 or 4) HOURS!!

   Cut, plate up, e-n-j-o-y!!!!! :-}

* Series on warm weather desserts. Stay tuned, additional ones will be featured on this blog soon ;->

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Friday Feasts", are hosted by Nicole, at 'Mom Trends" (http://momtrends.blogspot.com).
~ "Chocolate Friday" {"Would you like Chocolate with that?"}, are hosted by Lisa, at 'Stop and Smell the Chocolates' (http://stopnsmellthechocolates.blogspot.com/).
~ "Foodie Friday('s)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)