Banana Cream Pie Salad Recipe: An Easy, Retro Dessert Salad 🍌🍨

Retro Dessert Salad

Your family will enjoy eating a trendy dessert salad when you follow this easy retro Banana Cream Pie Salad recipe!

Dessert salads were all the rage at potlucks and picnics in the 1960s and 70s, and they are definitely making a comeback.

This fun twist combines the creamy, sweet flavors of banana cream pie and banana pudding without any baking.

This “salad” is a mix of creamy and sweet ingredients, served cold.

While it does contain bananas, the Cool Whip, cookies, and marshmallows definitely categorize this dish as a dessert—and a delicious one at that!

What Exactly is a Dessert Salad? 🍰

If you didn’t grow up with them, the term “dessert salad” might sound confusing, but it’s a sweet, cold confection that’s highly portable.

Dessert vs. Fruit Salad

Not Greens: Unlike a regular salad, a dessert salad contains no lettuce or other greens.
The Telltale Signs: When a dish features ingredients like Cool Whip, Jello, and marshmallows, it is firmly considered a dessert salad, regardless of any fruit content.
Retro Popularity: These retro desserts are incredibly popular again because they are nostalgic, fun, and require minimal effort to assemble.

Flavor Profile and Key Ingredients 🥄

This recipe uses ingredients commonly found in classic banana desserts, ensuring a familiar and comforting taste.

Core Ingredients

Cool Whip & Mini Marshmallows: These form the fluffy, sweet, and airy base of the “salad.”
Bananas: Use fresh sliced banana for that signature flavor.
Vanilla Cookies: The cookies add a texture similar to a pie crust. You can use Nilla Wafers or any other brand of crisp vanilla cookies.

Customizing and Garnish

Garnishing: The salad is best served garnished with additional sliced bananas, crushed cookies, and a drizzle of either caramel sauce or honey.
Flavor Note: While it tastes similar to banana cream pie, it is a lighter, fluffier version—not an exact copycat. It’s a great dish for fans of both banana pie and banana pudding.

Tips for Easy Assembly and Storage 🧑‍🍳

This recipe is fantastic for groups or for cooks short on time, as it requires no cooking and only basic mixing skills.

Kid-Friendly: Because no special skills or heat are required, little kids will have fun helping, and older kids can easily make the entire recipe with little to no adult assistance.
Travels Well: Dessert salads are typically portable and travel well, making this a great choice for potlucks and picnics.
Storage: Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Consume leftovers quickly before the bananas brown and the cookies become overly mushy.

🍌 Banana Cream Pie Salad Recipe (No-Bake Dessert)

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 Minutes | Total Time: 15 Minutes | Yield: 4 Servings

🍌 Ingredients

1 cup Cool Whip (thawed)
1½ cups Mini Marshmallows
6 Vanilla Cookies (Nilla Wafers, etc.)
1 Banana, sliced

🥄 Garnish (Optional)

Caramel Sauce or Honey
Extra Vanilla Cookies (crushed)
Extra Banana (sliced)

🛠️ Supplies

Mixing Bowl
Large Spoon (for folding)
Serving Dish

📝 Instructions

Combine Base: Add the Cool Whip, mini marshmallows, and banana slices to a mixing bowl.
Fold in Cookies: Gently fold the mixture together using a large spoon. Break the vanilla cookies apart into large pieces and gently fold them in as well.
Serve & Garnish: Transfer the mixture to a serving dish or individual bowls. Garnish immediately with sliced banana, crushed vanilla cookies, and a drizzle of either caramel sauce or honey.
Enjoy: Serve cold and enjoy this delicious retro treat!

Ready to Indulge in This Retro Dessert? ⬇️

This simple dessert salad is a nostalgic treat that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering!