Banana Macsplits – Mactweets Challenge #21

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
Raise your hand if you remember The Banana Splits.

Tra la la, la la la la.
One banana, two banana, three banana, four.
Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.
Over hill and highway the banana buggies go.
Comin’ on to bring you The Banana Splits Show.

I loved them when I was a kid. Bingo (second from left) was my favorite.

The TV show has nothing to do with this post except it came to mind right after this idea for July’s Mactweets challenge so I decided to revisit my old childhood friends via You Tube.

And it was fun.

Four banana, three banana, two banana, one.
All bananas playing in the bright warm sun.
Flippin like a pancake, poppin like a cork.
Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork.  

Here’s the Macscoop: Those cool, creamy Mactweets mavens, Jamie and Deeba, asked all willing Macnuts out there to come up with a macaron ice cream/sorbet combo. I immediately thought of a banana split. It was one of my favorite summer treats. I can’t remember the last time I had one.

My ice cream maker has been going non stop this summer. Inventing new ice cream flavors has bordered on obsession lately. Maybe it has to do with the Auf Wiedersehen I will soon bid my kitchen appliances when we move to NYC the beginning of August. We have a lovely furnished apartment waiting for us but until we are settled in a permanent place and I have a chance to restock my kitchen, there will be no more homemade ice cream experiments for awhile.

A traditional banana split has a scoop each of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. No problem for me and my summer romance with my Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment.

But you all know I just couldn’t leave it at that. The ice cream flavors in my Banana Macsplit are:

Dark Chocolate with Pistachio and Caramel Swirls
Vanilla Gooseberry Brittle
Strawberry Milk Chocolate Chip. 

The ice cream recipes will be posted over the next weeks.

The Macsplits were completed with drizzled melted Nutella, homemade whipped cream, a scattering of chopped hazelnuts and of course, a cherry on top. I put them together while singing the Banana Splits theme song. They come out extra tasty when you sing the song. Promise.

For the Banana Macaron Shells:
I followed the Tartelette’s basic recipe. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
Ingredients:
  • 3 egg whites – aged at least 2 days. Let them sit out on the counter uncovered.
  • 25-50 grams of fine granulated sugar
  • 200 grams of powdered sugar (minus 2 tablespoons)
  • 110 Grams of almond flour*
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon banana extract
  • Yellow food coloring. I used Wilton’s Golden Yellow gel paste.
*You can buy almond flour that has been ground with or without the skin. I use the later (blanched). The former looks really nice if you are not coloring the shells. You can also grind your own almond flour by putting whole or sliced almonds in a food processor or blender. If you do, make sure you throw a little of the powdered sugar in to prevent the almonds from forming a paste.
Directions:
  • Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together or pulse them together briefly in a food processor. Make sure there are no large pieces and set aside. 
  • Whip the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, slowly add the sugar. Continue whipping until you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing slides out. (I also add a pinch each of salt and cream of tartar)
  • Add the powdered sugar/almond mixture to the egg white mixture and fold, using quick strokes at first then slow down.  No more than 50 strokes all together. The batter should have a “flowing like lava” consistency.
  • Add the banana extract and the food coloring before the last couple of folds. 
  • Fill a Pastry bag and pipe circles (or banana shapes) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a Silpat. 
  • Let the macarons dry for about one hour until they harden.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • I keep the oven door propped open with a dish towel or wooden spoon. Try to refrain from obsessive peeping to see if they get feet. 
  • Let cool completely 
To make the Banana shapes, I traced a banana cookies cutter on parchment, flipped it over and used the shapes as guidelines to pipe the batter. 
The leftover banana macarons were filled with whipped cream and Nutella. A sublime combination.

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22 comments

Marilyn October 17, 2014 - 1:31 pm

I was a member of their club!

Reply
Anonymous March 14, 2012 - 12:57 am

This is gorgeous! I have been wanting to try something similar in the way of a macaron eclair…good to know the shapes worked well!

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Laura November 24, 2011 - 12:28 am

This is such a great idea, I love it. They look fantastic and the ice cream flavours sound delicious.

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Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet September 25, 2011 - 9:37 am

How did I miss this post. I LOVE IT! Oh and I totally remember the Banana Splits. This really is so super and your macs look pretty fab – I think it's pretty hard to shape them well but you did a great job.

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HI Cookery August 12, 2011 - 1:54 am

Lora, always the most creative in the MacTweets bunch! The banana shaped macs are just too clever! Brilliant idea. Best wishes on your move back home to America!

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shaz August 5, 2011 - 1:07 pm

So, so clever Lora! I love it 🙂 I remember the Banana Splits theme song but only the first verse, couldn't remember their names. You've brought back some lovely memories and put a smile on my face, thank you

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The KitchenGuardian August 3, 2011 - 1:39 am

indeed it's madness coming here! they are all awesome!

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Deeba PAB August 1, 2011 - 3:28 pm

You took the ball & hit it out of the park with these! Sensational … and fabulous!

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How To Be Perfect July 29, 2011 - 8:07 pm

OMG!!!! You are such a genius, this was a fantastic idea. x

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Trix July 21, 2011 - 1:40 pm

Omg, this is SO clever. But then your baking is always impressive. I totally remember the Banana Splits, and now you have me thinking of Lidsville and HR Puffinstuff as well …

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girlichef July 20, 2011 - 7:37 pm

Oh my gosh…that is so totally fun! I've never made a mac in my life (too scared)…but I want to eat that so badly! 😉

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Jill@MadAboutMacarons July 20, 2011 - 1:03 pm

Lora, I loved the Banana Splits as a kid as well! Your macaron version with the ice cream is so much fun – amazing! That's some news you moving to NYC. Best of luck with the move and for a new, exciting chapter ahead.

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Joanne July 20, 2011 - 11:46 am

How do you come up with these crazy awesome ideas! So innovative. definitely my new favorite way to eat a banana split.

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dianne's July 19, 2011 - 8:30 am

very cute! love it. :))

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Lori @ Girl Meets Oven July 19, 2011 - 10:51 am

Good luck on your move to New York. I hope it goes quickly so you can continue your homemade ice cream experiments and romance with your Kitchen Aid again soon. These ice cream flavors look incredible. I melted when I saw the dark chocolate one. 🙂

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Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite July 19, 2011 - 7:47 am

Absolutely inspired and inspiring!

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Reeni July 19, 2011 - 12:58 am

This is truly inspired – from the banana shaped macarons to the ice cream flavors. Too cute!

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Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets July 19, 2011 - 12:27 am

Oh man I'd just convinced myself that I don't have time to participate this month and now you post this amazing mac sundae — just genius and so so cute!

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Lauren Hairston July 18, 2011 - 12:44 pm

I cannot wait for the Dark Chocolate, Pistachio and Caramel ice cream recipe. I'm reading along thinking, "this is a such a cute idea" and then I read about the ice cream flavors and think, "I MUST have this recipe!!!" It sounds to-die-for.

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Michele Faubert July 18, 2011 - 1:30 pm

Love the idea, it's fun and creative. bravo !

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Butter Hearts Sugar July 18, 2011 - 12:28 pm

WOW. Awesome macs and awesome ice creams all at once.. yummy overload! I love this idea, the shapes of the macarons are perfect. I cant wait for the ice cream recipes, they sound great.

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Barbara Bakes July 18, 2011 - 11:31 am

Such a clever, fun idea. It looks decadent and delicious. What great ice cream flavors.

Reply

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