Banana Split - Two Spoons or One? Doodlewash and watercolor sketch of banana sundae and ice cream chocolate strawberry vanilla with whipped cream
By Charlie

Banana Split – Two Spoons or One?

Written by Charlie O'Shields

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved banana splits. They’ve always felt to me like the king of all desserts just for the sheer size of them. Nothing more complex than a sandwich was ever made at home back then, so the only time I had one was at the local Dairy Queen. Rather than different types of ice cream, this version was just 3 lumps of soft-serve vanilla with various colored goo on top to emulate the strawberry and chocolate portions, but it was magnificent! Ridiculously high in calories, of course, but that wasn’t something you ever talked about back then.

When Philippe and I were in Paris a few years ago, he took me to one of his favorite places to have an authentic banana split. Well, I was assuming we would share one, but when I suggested it his face scrunched up and he looked at me like I had just suggested we jump naked into the Seine. I apparently assumed incorrectly that a dessert the size of a small puppy should be shared. I mean, even the names suggests you “split” it! But if I wanted to partake, I was going to have to eat my own giant ice cream and fruit dish using my own dedicated spoon. And so I did, and it was worth it!

I can’t really fault him, as sharing ice cream desserts isn’t very appetizing. There’s something about the milkiness that makes it seem somewhat unsanitary. Also, a banana split may start out looking magnificent, but its demise is a gruesome affair. What was once a beautiful piece of art is transformed into a funky trough of brownish-pink ooze with chunks in it. My, that’s vulgar. Suffice it to say, there’s a good reason to enjoy the end privately. Just you, your puppy-sized dessert, and your very own spoon.

You’re all invited to a Doodlewash Dinner Party during the month of May! Just tag your food or drink image #doodlewashdinner and I’ll feature you and your culinary creations in a delicious Doodlewash Gallery at the end of the month! 

About the Doodlewash

M. Graham watercolors: Gamboge, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Pyrrol Red, and Neutral Tint. Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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47 thoughts on “Banana Split – Two Spoons or One?”

  2. It says much about your skill that you can take the accursed bananas and ice cream and still make me really really want this, to at least give it a try. I don’t think I’ve ever had a banana split, and I’d still recommend two spoons in case the spectacle of the thing quickly gives way to my old ways 😉 It looks incredible though, from the reflections to the wonderful little grooves in the banana. Impressive!

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          1. Were they called Build Ups? When my brother was younger, he had these chocolate shakes that were apparently good for you. I think they came in banana and strawberry aswell.

          2. That wasn’t the name, but it was at the back of a drugstore that I can’t remember the name of so I’m not sure why I’d be sure it wasn’t. Lol They put some kind of powder in it that I really liked the flavor of. It was probably poisonous by today’s standards and no longer on the market, but it was delicious!

  3. Great story, Charlie! 😊 I can’t quite imagine eating one of these “small puppies” by myself. Lol! 😝 But your doodlewash makes it very tempting! 🎨👍💕

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  6. OMG, you better not come to dinner with our family. We, six of us, three generations, happily share one giant dessert and often only one or two spoons for the group of us. You wouldn’t survive, Charlie, but I’m having fun imagining your face scrunched in alarm. Of course, now I’m going to have a hard time eating our next family dessert in our usual custom as I’ll be imagining puppy sized, emphasis on puppies. Oh no!
    Your painting is beautiful, of course. You have a real talent for silver, gray, white, reflections, and shadows. I can forgive you your squeamishness for your Doodlewash skill.

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  16. Miam, miam! Oh to have a banana split in France! The ice cream is so good there! I don’t imagine it would be as huge there though. Most dishes are served at the proper portion, so I would think it’s smaller than ours, but big by French standards. Non?

    The painting is so good! I love the whip cream, and banana. No nuts!! I’d have the nut topping. I usually reserve ice cream for my Birthday…which is coming up…banana split instead of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting this year? ARG! It may be hard to choose this year now that you’ve tempted me with this great looking painting!

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    1. Thanks so much!! 😃💕Actually the French version of this is still about the same size. You have to balance a whole banana! Lol But the ice cream was light years better!! I totally slacked off on the nuts and didn’t add them. But yeah…they are a delicious addition! 😉

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