We Have One Pennsylvania Man To Thank For The Iconic Banana Split

When it comes to desserts that demand their own stage, the banana split stands tall (well, horizontally). This iconic treat owes its existence to David Strickler, a soda counter worker with big dessert ideas in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, who, in 1904, decided that bananas weren't just for bread or breakfast. Armed with a knife and a sweet tooth, Strickler sliced a banana in half, nestled it around three scoops of ice cream, and dressed it in sugary perfection. The result? A dessert masterpiece so good it had college students spreading the word faster than gossip at a dorm party.

While other cities have tried to take credit for this culinary coup, Latrobe holds the receipts. With historical records and even a commemorative marker where Tassell Pharmacy once stood, this small town isn't just blowing hot air. Latrobe knows its dessert royalty. Strickler, meanwhile, wasn't just a dessert innovator — he was practically the Willy Wonka of western Pennsylvania.

Sure, Pennsylvania gave us oddities like the Altoona pizza, but the banana split is its real prized possession. It's the dessert that went global, proving that sometimes you just need a little ice cream and a whole lot of whipped cream to make magic. Even folks who hate bananas, like Ree Drummond, can't escape its charm – the banana split even made it onto her ice cream parlor menu. Some treats are just unstoppable.

The banana split didn't stop at being a Latrobe sensation — it catapulted into full-on stardom, thanks to Strickler's creativity and some very enthusiastic college students from St. Vincent College. These students essentially became brand ambassadors, introducing the dessert to their hometown soda fountains and turning it into a national obsession. Talk about early influencers. (Will TikTok's viral ice cream nachos be the banana split's successor?)

Even with its glow-up over the years, the classic recipe still holds its crown. A banana sliced lengthwise, three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), and all the toppings your heart desires: chocolate syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Variations have popped up, but Strickler's original creation is still the blueprint.

Latrobe isn't shy about its role in dessert history, either. The town officially claimed the banana split as Pennsylvania's dessert, and its 2004 centennial bash solidified Strickler's legacy. While cities like Wilmington, Ohio, might keep waving their banana flags, Latrobe has the receipts, the festivals, and the fans to back its claim.

Over a century later, the banana split hasn't aged a day. Whether you're grabbing one at Friendly's or attending a festival in Latrobe, this dessert still delivers the same magic that Strickler whipped up all those years ago. One man, one banana, and an endless legacy. Dessert doesn't get any sweeter than that.