Halloween candy season is in full swing. For most people this means candy is available in excess quantities most hours of the day. Increased candy availability can lead to additional unintentional calorie intake. I will leave the exact calories in halloween candy for another blog post, but you get the point that candy can add up in calories rather quickly!
I have an alternative halloween treat the whole family can enjoy – Halloween Banana Pops! The pops can be made into either a ghost or a spider. They are fruit based, with a banana serving as the body. The body is dipped in or drizzled with melted chocolate. I have added mini chocolate chips and marshmallows, but you can choose to decorate them as you please.
The pops are quite simple to make if a few simple steps are followed. A step you want to make sure you do not skip is freezing the banana after you put the popsicle stinks into the bottom (before you dip them in chocolate). This step makes it much easier to add the chocolate. Another tip is to work fast once the chocolate is melted and the banana is dipped in it – I learned from experience that the chocolate dries quickly.
Here are some pics of the pops being assembled….
The bananas for the “ghost pop” |
The banana for the “spider pop” |
Enjoy!
360FN
Ingredients:
*I did not specify amounts – left that open for you to determine how many you would like to make
(Spider)
Bananas
Dark Chocolate (at least 60% cacao)
Pretzel rods
Popsicle sticks
(Ghost)
Bananas
White chocolate bar (or almond bark)
Mini chocolate chips
Popsicle Sticks
Instructions:
(Spider)
1. Cut banana in three pieces lengthwise; then split each third in half again
2. Insert a popsicle in one end; place on wax paper
3. Melt chocolate as directed and stir well; dip one end of pretzel into chocolate and insert into banana as above to make legs; freeze for at least one hour or until frozen
4. Re-melt chocolate and spread over banana; add additional decorations before chocolate dries (I used marshmallows and mini chocolate chips for eyes).
5. Re-freeze for at least 30 minutes; keep frozen until ready to serve
(Ghost)
1. Cut banana in half lengthwise
2. Insert a popsicle in one end; place on wax paper
3. Freeze for at least one hour or until frozen
4. Melt white chocolate as directed and stir well
5. Dip entire banana in chocolate or spread chocolate to cover banana; add “eyes” immediately before chocolate dries
6. Re-freeze for at least 30 minutes; keep frozen until ready to serve