Frozen Bananas

In addition to making frozen grapes, we also made frozen bananas.  I searched the internet for how to make them, saw tons of results, and decided just to wing it.

I already had some wide popsicle sticks on hand (you can use regular popsicle sticks, lollipop sticks, or even skewers).  I cut each banana in half to make these treats a manageable size for the kiddos. 

I pushed the sticks into the cut sides of the bananas.

TIP:  Leave the peels on the bananas while you press the sticks in.  Then remove the peels before you freeze the bananas.

I won't tell you how I know, but if you freeze the bananas with the peels on, they will never come off.

No comment as to the source of this photo.

The bananas need to chill in the freezer for several hours or overnight (we didn't get to ours until the next day anyway).

I gathered lots of options for dipping the frozen bananas:

I had this dipping chocolate on hand already, but you can use chocolate chips or any chocolate that you like.  For toppings I offered the kids various sprinkles, mini crunchy marshmallows (one of my favorites!), mini M&Ms, and coconut.

I made each child sit at the table, and I gave them each a paper plate.  They chose their banana toppings and I poured the toppings onto their plates.  Then I had to continually remind them not to eat all the toppings.

I melted the chocolate in the microwave, and I dipped the bananas in the chocolate (obvious hazard with kids and hot melted chocolate).

Then I handed each kid their chocolate covered banana, and he/she rolled the banana in the toppings.

TIP:  The chocolate hardened very quickly on the frozen bananas, so you need to roll them in the toppings QUICKLY!

I put the bananas back in the freezer because we weren't ready to eat them, but based on how quickly the chocolate hardened, I think you could eat them right away.

There were a lot of toppings left on the plates.  Wanna guess what happened to those?

Yep.  This is what happened:

And they all did it.

After lunch that day, we got out our frozen treats.  Nora basically just ate the mini marshmallows and sprinkles off her treat.

When I encouraged her to bite through the chocolate to get some banana, she took a little bite and said, "I not like the banna."

Griffin liked his pretty well.  No one finished their frozen banana, but I think he ate the most of his.

My little monkey with his banana :)

Nolan didn't like the crunchy chocolate, but he liked the banana part and his sweet toppings.

Overall assessment:  These were easy, cheap, and fairly fun to make.  Since no one really enjoyed eating the finished product, we probably won't make them again.

Jessica