Things You'll Need:
- Bananas
- Melting chocolates (white, milk, and/or dark)
- Toppings like nuts, sprinkles, coconut, caramel and others
- Flavorings like raspberry, strawberry, mint and coffee
- Food coloring
- Lollipop bags
- Ties or tape
- Lollipop sticks
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Step 1
Set out everything you need before you begin. Put the toppings into which the bananas will be rolled into a flat bowl or plate. Open the sticks (if they are to be used). Prepare the food coloring and/or flavorings for quick mixing. Have the lollipop bags ready or prepare 5" by 5" sections of plastic wrap to cover the finished bananas. Open ties or prepare pieces of tape for closing the bags or wrappings.
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Step 2
Cut the bananas. Some people like to cut them into halves or thirds and put them on sticks so that they can be eaten like a lollipop. Others like to slice them into bite-sized pieces. Either method is acceptable and the choice may be dependent upon the event at which the treats will be served and the individuals involved. Children will likely prefer the lollipop bananas, while adults may prefer the bite sized pieces. If you are putting them onto sticks, go ahead and insert the sticks before dipping. If you are dipping pieces, have tongs or a fork ready for dipping each piece.
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Step 3
Melt the chocolate. You can either use a double boiler or a microwave. I prefer a double boiler because it keeps the chocolate hot and smooth until I am ready to use it. Microwaving works well for melting the chocolate but it begins to cool almost immediately upon removal from the oven, limiting the amount of time you have to do the dipping procedure. Work with each type of chocolate individually, one at a time. If you are using multiple types of chocolates, I suggest using the lightest color first and end with the darkest color. You can choose white, milk, or dark chocolate or any combination thereof. You can even use fancy chocolates like Dove or Russell Stovers, or you can use simple grocery store melting chocolate.
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Step 4
Flavor your chocolate dips, if desired. I often choose raspberry, mint or coffee but any flavoring you like is acceptable. You may also choose to color white chocolate. Mix the colors and/or flavors you want before dipping the banana.
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Step 5
Dip the banana stick or piece into the chocolate and then immediately into the topping of choice. I like to use nuts like walnuts, pecans, or even cashews; coconut; sprinkles; crushed peppermint; and/or toffee. Again, the choices are limited only by your imagination. Just be sure to choose something that can be crushed into small pieces and into which the banana can be rolled.
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Step 6
Place on the cookie sheet, which will serve as your cooling rack for the refrigerator. After completing all of the white chocolate, move on to the next color. In the meantime, refrigerate all of your white and/or colored-chocolate bananas.
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Step 7
Proceed with the next type of chocolate. Once you have finished with each type of chocolate and the bananas have hardened, then you are ready to wrap or prepare them for serving.
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Step 8
Bag the stick bananas into lollipop bags or wrap them in 5" by 5" plastic wrap squares once they have sufficiently hardened. Close with a tie or tape. Add a bow to the stick if you want to jazz up the presentation.
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Step 9
Serve the pieces of chocolate covered bananas in a small bowl or on a small plate drizzled with caramel, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, and/or a spritz of whipped cream. You can also choose to drizzle the banana with the syrups to make them look even more gourmet. About 4 to 5 pieces per person makes a reasonable sized dessert.
