Chocolate Dipped Bananas On Stick Food

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FROZEN BANANAS

Steps:

• Dipping decorations: granola, chopped nuts, sprinkles, jimmies, crushed cookies, and toasted coconut
• Line a sheet pan with waxed paper. Cut 1-inch off the end of each banana. Insert a popsicle stick into the cut-end of each banana, pushing the stick halfway in, leaving the other end exposed for use as a handle. Place the bananas on the sheet pan and freeze 1 hour.
• Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.
• Arrange the dipping decorations on several flat plates. Working with 1 banana at a time, dip it in the chocolate and turn to completely coat (spoon some on, if needed). Roll the dipped banana in the desired decorations, transfer to the sheet pan, and return to the freezer.
• Once frozen, store the bananas in an airtight container.
• Serving suggestion: To serve at a kid's party, paint a hunk of styrofoam and stick the banana handles in the top, so they stand upright.

CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA POPS

Steps:

• Peel, then cut each banana in half crosswise and insert a craft stick into each half. Place on a tray, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer until frozen, about 3 hours.
• Place the peanuts in a shallow dish or on a plate. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over slightly simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently. Make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the top pan. Pour the melted chocolate into a tall glass. Dip each frozen banana into the chocolate, turning it to coat, and immediately roll in the peanuts. Place on a tray covered in waxed paper. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap or waxed paper and freeze for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED BANANAS

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pan of gently simmering water. Stir just until melted.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Insert a popsicle stick in one end of each banana piece. Dip banana, one piece at a time, in chocolate, spooning on additional chocolate to cover.
• Sprinkle each banana with peanuts, and set on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, 20 minutes, or up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED BANANAS ON STICK

Steps:

• Peel the bananas and cut each in half crosswise. Insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of each and place the bananas on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Freeze until very firm, about 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, place the sprinkles, peanuts and crushed cookies onto three small plates, then set the toppings aside.
• When bananas are ready, place the dark chocolate and 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a medium bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave 30 seconds more. Stir and microwave again until the chocolate is smooth and melted, then set aside. Repeat with the milk chocolate.
• Place the white chocolate in a heatproof glass or metal bowl that will fit over a small pot. Fill the pot with a few inches of water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat over medium-low heat, gently stirring the chocolate as it melts. Once it's melted, use a kitchen towel to carefully remove the bowl from the pot and set aside.
• Dip the bananas into the melted dark chocolate and use a spatula to remove any excess. Immediately dip the banana into the topping of your choice, then place it back on the parchment-lined sheet tray. Repeat with the remaining bananas.
• Drizzle the bananas with milk and white chocolate. Alternately, you can dip the bananas into the milk or white chocolate. Store the bananas in the freezer until you're ready to serve them.

FROZEN BANANA LOLLIES

Steps:

• Peel the bananas and trim off the very ends if you'd like them neater. Then chop them each into 4 equal-sized chunks. Thread a strawberry onto each lolly stick first, then push on the pieces of banana.
• When all your banana pops are made lay them on a baking tray and put in the freezer, uncovered, for 1 hr.
• Put the yogurt into a tall glass or jug then dip each banana pop into the yogurt to coat (avoiding the strawberries), then place back onto the tray to refreeze until set.
• Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second bursts (stirring after each blast) then pour into a mug. Dip the end piece of each banana pop in the chocolate then sprinkle over the hundreds and thousands.
• The chocolate should set pretty much instantaneously, but you can keep them in the freezer until you want to serve them for up to 1 week.

FROZEN CHOCOLATE BANANAS

Steps:

• 1. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
• 2. Cut the bananas in half and insert a Popsicle stick into each half, as shown. Place them on the baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the oil in a Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave (check it every 30 seconds) or in a half-full pan of simmering water (about 2 minutes). Stir until smooth.
• 4. Roll each banana half in the chocolate, then quickly sprinkle with your topping (if using).
• 5. Freeze until the chocolate sets, 30 minutes. Serve or freeze in an airtight container for up to a week.