Cherry sundaes and banana splits: Helen Graves’ recipes for barbecued fruit

Helen Graves' barbecued banana splits with salted date cream and coconut crunch. Photograph: Ola O Smit/The Guardian. Food styling: Aya Nishimura. Prop styling: Polly Webb-Wilson. Food styling assistant: Laura Lawrence.

When it comes to barbecued desserts, a few squares of chocolate melted inside a banana will no longer cut it. Get ahead with some easy-to-prep elements, then add a final flourish of smoke-licked fruit to bring new energy to classic desserts, such as banana splits and layered fruit sundaes. They need not be complex, and will interest your guests far more than the same old stale ideas. I’ve had some fun with these nostalgic favourites, and hope you will, too.

Barbecued banana splits with salted date cream and coconut crunch (pictured top)