Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites...Frozen Or Not.

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Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites.... Today, I had 3 bananas that needed to be used up. They had been sitting on the counter for a few days and were a bit ripe... with brown spots all over them. I knew I needed to use them or else place them in the freezer for another use. I could wait another day and bake some banana bread/bars/muffins,etc. But you know, I was tired. I really wasn't up to baking or cleaning dishes...so I decided to proceed with a simpler version, making some delicious and quick banana bites. I had come across this really neat recipe on (never home)maker's blog and really wanted to try it. I had one problem, though. I wouldn't be able to use peanut butter in the chocolate covering due to my husband's intolerance to peanut butter. But I did have some raw almonds...why not make my own almond butter and substitute that? It would probably work... maybe not as well. You definitely need to have a powerful blender to make your own nut butter, otherwise just use the natural store-bought kind. It would be ideal if your nut butter is quite smooth as you will get a smoother chocolate finish that way. Mine wasn't quite as smooth as I wanted it to be...it probably needed a couple more minutes in the blender. Somehow I managed... with bits of almond showing through the chocolate:). If you don't care for the addition of a nut butter in the chocolate covering, you can easily try this version from Epicurious... it is much simpler:).

These morsels were incredibly delicious...they were quick, easy and elegant-looking. I loved the addition of the nut butter. My chocolate and nut butter measurements are just approximations. Feel free to adjust to your preference. You can use less nut butter if you like... I loved how easily you can decorate the banana bites~ the coconut was my favorite. Please feel free to make the original with the peanut butter/chocolate covering. I am sure they will taste even better:). This is a great alternative to a chocolate truffle and for using up some of your bananas:)... The banana bites can easily be frozen and eaten later as a snack. Loved these banana bites. Hope you enjoy...

You will need: adapted from Here

2-4 bananas, sliced~ preferably not so ripe as mine:)

1/2-3/4 cup chocolate pieces(chips, chunks, etc)

1/4-1/3 cup smooth nut butter( peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.)

optional decoration ~candied ginger/orange/lemon peel, unsweetened coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa nibs, crushed cookies, etc.

Directions:

1. Cut banana into 1 inch slices. Set aside.

2. Make nut butter. Blend nuts(raw or roasted) in a powerful blender on high till smooth. Add a pinch of salt if nuts are unsalted. You can add a bit of oil(not too much) as it is blending, if need be. OR simply use store-bought.

3. Combine chocolate pieces and nut butter and melt in a double boiler or microwave. Stir until smooth.

4. Dip banana slice in melted chocolate mixture. Completely coat with chocolate mixture...you may need to use a spoon to cover the entire banana. Using a fork, lift the chocolate covered banana, tapping on edge of container to remove excess chocolate. Drag the fork tines on the edge of the container and scrape off any further chocolate that pools on the bottom of the fork.

5. Place chocolate covered banana on parchment paper. I like to use a knife to lift the chocolate covered banana off the fork and then slide it on the parchment paper. This gives a smoother finish. Proceed to do the same with the rest of the bananas.

TIP: You can easily dip the chocolate covered bananas and then roll them completely in chopped/sliced nuts, shredded coconut, etc. without having to worry too much about getting a smooth chocolate finish.

6. Sprinkle the top of the chocolate covered bananas with your favorite toppings.

7. Place in fridge( if you want a soft banana center) or freezer( if you want a frozen center) to harden the chocolate.