Banana split

This old-time favorite, often said to have been created in Wilmington, Ohio, has not lost its popularity with younger generations, who love as many ice cream flavors as possible all together.

* Serves 1

• 1 firm ripe banana
• 1 scoop each chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream
• 1 tbsp. chocolate sauce
• 1 tbsp. strawberry sauce
• cream, heavy or whipping
• chopped nuts
• maraschino cherries or strawberries
• rolled wafers (optional)

Slice the banana in half lengthwise and place in an oval dessert dish. Top with a scoop of each flavor of ice cream.

Drizzle with a little of the two sauces, then top with the whipped cream, nuts, and fresh fruit. Add a rolled wafer as well, if you wish.

Variations:

• Banana & raspberry split

Instead of the basic recipe, use banana custard ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry ripple gelato. Top with chocolate and raspberry sauces, sprinkles, and fresh raspberries.

• Banana toffee split

Instead of the basic recipe, use banana custard, vanilla, and butter pecan ice creams. Top with toffee and chocolate sauces, strawberries, chopped nuts, and whipped cream.

• Tropical banana split

Instead of the basic recipe, use tropical fruit sherbet, mango sorbet, and vanilla ice cream. Top with pineapple and fudge sauces, fresh pineapple, chopped nuts, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream.

• Chocolate banana split

Instead of the basic recipe, use chocolate and vanilla ice creams with chocolate sauce and toffee sauce, then sprinkle with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream.