Nutella Dipped Frozen Banana Bites

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Unfortunately, I still have even MORE bananas that need to be used. So more thinking ensued...what else is like chocolate and cookie butter?  NUTELLA! Everything is better with nutella. So I also made nutella dipped frozen banana bites with an oreo cookie crumble on top, because really, oreo's rock too! Since I have destroyed my teeth eating the whole chocolate dipped bananas I had, I have cut these into small pieces and put them on the sticks that I would have put the banana half on. Now they are much easier to eat and friendly on the teeth.

This is less a recipe, more a guideline, so I apologize, but it is kind of use what you need, and that's the right amount.  If you don't have a Trader Joe's where you live, then I am truly, truly, sorry.

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NUTELLA DIPPED FROZEN BANANA BITES

Ingredients:

• ripe but not mushy bananas

• nutella spread

• Popsicle or lollypop sticks

• a few oreos, crumbled

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Peel the desired amount of bananas and cut them into about 3/4" slices, discarding the very ends.
3. Place banana slices onto popsicle or lollypop sticks by skewering them width wise. For the lollypop sticks I used, I fit 3 slices on each (See picture, left).
4. Place them on the parchment lined tray and freeze for an hour at least.
5. When ready, scoop out the nutella into a shallow bowl. If needed, microwave for 10 seconds, or until it is slightly runny.
6. Using a knife, spread the nutella on all sides of the bananas and place back on tray. If the spread will not stay on, the bananas need to go back in the freezer for a while.
7. Before it hardens, sprinkle the bananas with crushed oreo crumbs to coat.
8. Place back in freezer until hardened, and then store in freezer until ready to eat. Once they are frozen solid, they can be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and put in a ziploc bag to keep them fresher

Cookie Butter Dipped Frozen Banana Bites

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I have so many over ripe bananas on my counter it is depressing. I don't want any more muffins or bread or cookies in my house right now either (OK, I do, but I shouldn't have it here). After making my macarons I had half a jar of cookie butter left over. In case you have never heard of it (I hadn't until very recently), it is carried by Trader Joe's, and it has the consistency of peanut butter, but the taste of gingerbread cookies. It is like it is named--cookie butter. Putting my thinking cap on, I was trying to figure out what I could do that maybe would use both things, and while I was thinking about it I went to my freezer and grabbed the last chocolate dipped frozen banana from my son's 3rd birthday party. Then it hit me! Cookie butter dipped frozen banana bites! Too add a bit more dimension I also decided that a bit of crushed graham cracker would make a nice topping to them (because frankly, a dipped banana with nothing else on it is just kind of dull). Thus was born the cookie butter dipped frozen banana bites!

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO PIN IT :)

COOKIE BUTTER DIPPED FROZEN BANANA BITES

Ingredients:

• ripe but not mushy bananas
• cookie butter (found at Trader Joe's)
• Popsicle sticks or lollypop sticks
• a few graham cracker sheets, crushed

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Peel the desired amount of bananas and cut them into about 3/4" slices, discarding the very ends.
3. Place banana slices onto popsicle or lollypop sticks by skewering them width wise.  For the lollypop sticks I used, I fit 3 slices on each (See picture, left).
4. Place them on the parchment lined tray and freeze for an hour at least.
5. When ready, scoop out the cookie butter into a shallow bowl and microwave for 10 seconds, or until it is slightly runny.  
6. Using a knife, spread the cookie butter on all sides of the bananas and place back on tray.  If the spread will not stay on, the bananas need to go back in the freezer for a while.
7. Before it hardens, sprinkle the bananas with crushed graham cracker crumbs to coat.
8. Place back in freezer until hardened, and then store in freezer until ready to eat.  Once they are frozen solid, they can be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and put in  a ziploc bag to keep them fresher.

 
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S'mores Crispy Rice Treats

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Ah, camping.  The fond memories of dirt, showers that charge $0.50 for two minutes of (sometimes) hot water, and who can forget: the food!  Particularly the food that seems to be synonymous with camping, the s'more.  I had fun burning the marshmallows and all, but frankly, I found them messy, unwieldy, and just kind of a pain.  Well, pain no more!  I have combined the best of the s'more world with all that is wonderful about rice crispy treats.  I mean come on, a rice crispy treat is 1/3 of the way to becoming a s'more, right?  Here is a recipe that is easy to prep before leaving on a camping trip, travels well, and if you have little ones, gives them all the s'more flavor, without the fire hazard.
 

S'more Crispy Rice Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 package (9 sheets) graham crackers
• 1 bag (10 oz.) mini marshmallows, divided
• 12 oz. semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 cups rice crispies cereal

Directions:

1. Line a 9x13 in pan with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
2. Crush the graham crackers into fairly small crumbs, some larger pieces are ok (I just did it right in the bag they were in, why dirty another bag or bowl?).
3. Mix the cereal and crushed graham crackers in a large bowl, as well as 1 cup of the marshmallows.
4. Place all the remaining marshmallows and the butter in a large microwave safe bowl, and heat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the marshmallows are completely melted and the butter is incorporated.
5. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the cereal and graham cracker mix, and stir until well combined.
6.  Pour into the prepared pan and press into the pan to form an even layer.  Spraying a spatula with non-stick cooking spray may help in spreading if it is sticking.
7. Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until completely melted.  
8. Pour chocolate over the cereal mixture and smooth out over the entire pan.
9. Let them set up in the fridge or on the counter until the chocolate and marshmallows are set.
10. Cut into squares and enjoy!