THEN: Banana Nut Cookies, The Manischewitz Passover Cookbook, 1958

12 oz package Passover Sponge Cake Mix
4 eggs separated
3/4 cup mashed bananas
1/4 cup peanut oil
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Allow separated eggs to reach room temperature. Beat yolks with mashed banana and peanut oil until light and fluffy. Add sponge cake mix gradually and beat very thoroughly. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites and chopped nuts into batter gently but thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonful onto well greased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake in a moderate oven 375 degrees F, 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 7 dozen.
NOW: Banana Split Ice Cream Cake , Modernized By Sarah Lasry

4 eggs separated, room temperature
3/4 cup mashed bananas
1/4 cup peanut oil
12 oz package Manischewitz® Passover Sponge Cake Mix
1/2 cup chopped nuts
8 oz bitter sweet chocolate, melted
2 bananas, sliced thin
4 cups vanilla ice cream (you can use a parve tofutti ice cream as well)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Separate eggs. Using a mixer, beat yolks with mashed banana and peanut oil until light and fluffy. Add sponge cake mix gradually and beat very thoroughly. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites and chopped nuts into batter gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into lightly greased 9 x 13 pan and bake in moderate oven 10-12 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean in center.
Set aside cake and let cool completely.
Meanwhile melt chocolate over double boiler and let cool down partially. When cake is completely cooled, pour chocolate over top of cake - spreading evenly. Place sliced bananas onto melted chocolate evenly. Place cake in freezer for 25 minutes or until chocolate has hardened. Remove from freezer and spread a thick layer of vanilla ice cream over top of cake – refreeze for an additional 40-45 minutes. Remove from freezer and serve with drizzled chocolate sauce.