:: Decadent {frozen} Banana Bites ::
Naming this post was a bit of an issue for me! You see… these aren’t your average frozen banana bites dipped in rich, creamy chocolate! Oh no! These are WAY more decadent! These little frozen banana bites are wrapped in chocolate chip cookie dough, and dunked in a thick layer of chocolate!
Clearly, I had a moment of weakness in making these! It was a week prior to our big family move and I needed the stress relief of whipping up something tasty! For me, the process of baking has always been a coping mechanism when I need to unwind or take a breather from life. These banana bites were successful in getting my mind off the never ending to-do list that comes with moving a family of six. They also provided the kids and I with a delicious frozen summer treat that brought back some of my favorite childhood memories of going to Balboa Island in Newport Beach and indulging in the famous Frozen Bananas & Balboa Bars!
I originally came across this recipe on the fabulous food blog, Mississippi Kitchen {her photos are fantastic}! She used half a banana on skewers, whereas I chose to use chunks of ripe banana on toothpicks. Regardless of what size you choose to do… you won’t be disappointed! You can use your favorite cookie dough recipe, as long as it doesn’t use raw eggs. Mississippi Kitchen used a chocolate chip recipe, in addition to a peanut butter cookie dough {Holy yum!}. I decided to stick to chocolate chip dough to keep it a bit simpler on my end. Also… be creative in what toppings you decide to roll your sweet little bites of heaven in! I used sliced almonds and colorful sprinkles! You could also roll them in chopped peanuts, white chocolate chips, shredded coconut, etc.!
Be forewarned! My little bites of banana ended up being the size of small caramel apples! Ha! I may have gone slightly overboard with the cookie dough! Also…. perhaps my favorite part…. I rolled up small amounts of leftover cookie dough and dipped it in the melted chocolate and then froze! These frozen chocolate chip cookie dough bites were DIVINE!!! Enjoy!
Decadent {frozen} Banana Bites
Ingredients
- 8 medium firm but ripe bananas
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cups butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk {I actually used unsweetened almond milk}
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
Optional Toppings
- colorful sprinkles
- slivered almonds
Instructions
- Cut bananas into small to medium size chunks. Insert a toothpick into each one, then place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- To make the chocolate chip cookie dough: Beat the butter, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed. Beat in the flour and salt and enough milk to make a soft cookie dough consistency. Stir in the chocolate chips {however much you think}. Set aside at room temperature.
- When the bananas are frozen, press a small amount of cookie dough around each banana using clean, slightly moist hands. Remove only a couple of bananas at a time from the freezer because they will start to soften. Place back on baking tray and freeze until firm.
- To make the chocolate coating: Place the milk chocolate chips and coconut oil in a glass or metal bowl that has been placed over gently simmering water {or use a double boiler}. Stir until melted and smooth. Spoon the chocolate over each frozen banana, letting the excess drip off, then place back on the baking sheet.
- If desired, roll or sprinkle banana bites with colorful sprinkles and/or slivered almonds {or your favorite topping choice} immediately after coating in chocolate. Store these little bites of heaven in the freezer. They should keep frozen for approximately one week!
Notes
