Frozen Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Banana Bites

So…I thought this week’s post would be easy –a really easy to make frozen treat.  I don’t want to scare anyone off.  It’s not that difficult, it’s just kind of messy.  And, because it had been so long since I’d made these, I actually made it more complicated than it needed to be. Fear not! About halfway through the process, I figured things out.

Let me start from the beginning.  Pictured below is the recipe, which was featured a number of years ago, in Kroger’s “My Magazine”. They were one of several, aptly named, Craving Crushers.  (I will give props to Kroger on this magazine, although I can’t say for sure if they still print it.  I’d get it in the mail and I’d  always find at least one recipe I wanted to try.) www.kroger.com

The only thing I do differently from their recipe, is that I melt about a ½ teaspoon of shortening with the chocolate.  This helps harden the chocolate so it won’t melt so quickly in your hands.

You can see within their recipe, they give two options.  One:  You can dip individual banana slices in the melted chocolate.  Two:  Spread peanut butter between two banana slices, before coating with chocolate – making “peanut butter banana chocolate covered sandwiches”.  Kevin and our kids are all peanut butter fans, so I always go for the “sandwiches”

My process:  As I’ve stated before, some things go smoother than others.  While, in the end, this recipe turned out great; I am posting pictures to show you that it wasn’t a picture perfect process for me.  

Slicing the bananas, putting the peanut butter between two banana slices and even melting the chocolate chips and shortening was easy.  Where it got difficult, was, for the life of me, I couldn’t remember how best to coat these little buggers.

First I tried dipping them in the melted chocolate.  The bowl I’d used wasn’t quite deep enough to cover the whole thing, so I kind of rolled them around in the chocolate.  I had to squeeze the bananas together, because with the peanut butter inside, they kept wanting to slide apart.  This was not working.

Next, I held one sandwich between my fingers and kind of “frosted it” with a spoon.  (See picture.)  Not the effect I was looking for.

Time to stop and rethink.  A light finally went off in my head.  I lined up several of the “sandwiches” on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and then placed a large dollop of melted chocolate on the top of each.  Slowly, the chocolate slid down the sides.  As the chocolate was sliding, I loaded my spoon with melted chocolate and kind of frosted the sides (like a cake).

After that, things went well.  My version of the recipe is posted below and as you read it, you will see what you need to do to finish.

Brenda’s Version – Frozen Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Banana Bites

• Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
• Three bananas, sliced.
• Spread peanut butter between two banana slices, making a sandwich.  Place each sandwich on the lined cookie sheet.
• Melt the “Enjoy life” semi-sweet Mini Chips and “Enjoy life” dark chocolate regular size morsels.  (You don’t have to use two different chocolates, one chocolate will still taste great.) Microwave morsels in a microwave safe bowl, on high, 20-30 seconds at a time, stirring each time.
• Don’t forget to add a ½ teaspoon shortening to chocolate.
• Place a dollop of chocolate on the top of each banana sandwich.  As chocolate is sliding down the sides, load your spoon with more chocolate and frost the sides similar to frosting a cake.
• That’s it, the hard work is done.  Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes allowing a hard chocolate shell to form.  Remove cookie sheet from freezer.  Put treats in an airtight container and back in the freezer.
• Pull out one or two treats at a time to satisfy a craving for something sweet.

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

Disclaimer:                              

 These recipes and tips are not guaranteed to work or be safe for everyone. Allergies are extremely complicated and vary for each individual. It is still your responsibility to read labels to ensure your safety. I cannot be held liable for any ill effects from using my tips to avoid your allergies. (Sorry guys, I don’t foresee any problems, but Momma’s gotta cover her backside, ya know? Just read your labels! Do your research!)