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The Classic Banana Split

During the heyday of American soda fountains, dozens of banana split recipes were in circulation, but this is the one usually served in sweet shops today. Of course, it is fine to drop or add ingredients to suit your own taste. The only required item is the banana cut lengthwise; cut it crosswise and experts say you've readied a banana royale. Traditional boat-shaped dishes (inexpensive reproductions are often stocked with summer glassware) show off the banana split best, but have absolutely no effect on either the taste appeal or the fun.

All three of my sauce recipes can be prepared in advance, so throwing a banana split party is convenient and hassle free.

For each banana split:

1 scoop each, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream

3 to 4 tablespoons each, pineapple, chocolate and strawberry sundae sauces

1 small- to medium-sized ripe banana, peeled and cut lengthwise

Lightly sweetened whipped cream, maraschino cherries and chopped nuts (optional) for garnish

Place the scoops of ice cream in a row in a classic "boat" or other suitable dessert dish. Top the vanilla ice cream with the pineapple sauce, the chocolate ice cream with the chocolate sauce and the strawberry ice cream with the strawberry sauce. Flank the ice cream scoops with the banana halves. Top the scoops with dollops (or squirts) of whipped cream. Add the cherries and chopped nuts, as desired.

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