Thursday, January 19, 2012

Frozen Chocolate and Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Frozen banana bites

When I was younger my Grandma Grillo used to take me to Knott's Berry Farm. For all you non-Southern Californian's out there, Knott's is a theme park, like Disneyland, but on a slightly smaller scale. There were rides, roller coasters and my favorites included the soap box car races and the log jammer. I also remember having dinner at Ms. Knott's restaurant quite a few times (I think that was the name) where we ate things like fried chicken, biscuits, salad, where I noticed red cabbage for the first time, pie or cobbler, and a berry drink which was always my favorite. Knott's berry farm is known for boysenberries and products made with them (jams, syrups, etc). What they are not known for-at least not that I know of- are chocolate covered frozen bananas. However, it is forever burned in my mind that whenever we would pass those people selling food in carts around the park, I would get a chocolate frozen banana covered in finely chopped peanuts. Maybe, it was just once. I have no idea. But my little mind likes to think it was every time. Those things have stayed with me as a fond memory ever since, probably because when bananas are frozen they taste a lot like vanilla ice cream, and who doesn't love vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and peanuts?

frozen banana bites

frozen banana bites

I saw a recipe for these banana bites on pinterest and knew instantly I had to try them. They are a little different because you cover chunks of the fruit with a melted mixture of both chocolate and peanut butter, and then cover them in shredded coconut. You could just as easily cover them with peanuts, rainbow sprinkles or almonds. I love that you can eat them like a bon bon, are rich so you only need one or two, and are a snap to make.

frozen banana bites

My kids wolfed these down for dessert and my daughter actually requested that I make them for her birthday. The best part is that I felt good about what they were eating. And I won't feel too guilty if after those kids are in bed, I sneak off to the freezer to grab a couple more...

frozen banana bites

Thank you Grandma, for taking me to do such special things when I was little. I remember each and every time.

Frozen Chocolate and Peanut Butter Banana Bites
serves 4

2 ripe bananas
1/3 cup semi sweet or dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter or almond butter
2 tablespoons shredded sweetened coconut for sprinkling
wax paper

Peel and chop bananas into 5-6 equal pieces each. Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a saucepan over very low heat and stir until just combined and chocolate has melted. Dip each banana chunk in the chocolate and peanut butter mixture and place on a wax paper lined sheet pan. Sprinkle the coconut over top and freeze for 2 hours or until hard.

9 comments:

  1. So yummy! I saw these too. Probably from you. If you didn't notice, I went on a repinning Krysta's food rampage. It was AWESOME.

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  2. Oh yum these look delicious! Frozen chocolate covered bananas are sometimes just the perfect sweet treat!

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  3. I am DEF making these tonight! Delish!

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  4. My mum use to make these all the time when I was little. They were one of my favorites! xo

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