Frozen Chocolate Banana Pops

One of my favorite treats when I am at the beach is frozen bananas.  I discovered them when I was in Bethany Beach, and have been in love ever since!  It is such a great treat, and semi-healthy as well!  It is also a great treat for kids to help out with as well.  This particular recipe for these came from Mommy's Kitchen.  I love that the recipe calls for peanut butter to be added into the chocolate coating.  What a fabulous combination!  Enjoy!

4-5 ripe bananas (not over ripe)
1- 24 oz package chocolate bark or candy coating
Popsicle sticks or chop sticks
sprinkles, rice krispies or chopped nuts
2 - tablespoon's creamy peanut butter, optional
waxed paper or foil

Peel the bananas and cut in half. Grab some handy helpers to insert the sticks into each banana. You can lay them on a baking sheet or place the bananas in a gallon size zip lock bag. Place in the freezer until the bananas harden (about 2 hours). You can add lemon juice or on the bananas to prevent browning, but my bananas never brown in the freezer. To start use 1/2 of the chocolate bark, place in a microwave safe boil and melt on the defrost setting for 3 minutes. Do not melt on the cook setting or the chocolate will cook and burn. I defrost mine in 3 minute intervals in the microwave. If you want to add peanut butter add it to the chocolate while it melts in the microwave. When melted remove from the microwave and stir to blend. You want the chocolate really smooth.

Spoon the melted chocolate onto each banana until they are coated. Do not dip the bananas into the chocolate mixture or it will harden on you. The best way is to spoon the chocolate on each banana. Roll in rice cereal, sprinkles, chopped nuts or just leave them plain. I highly recommend chopped pecans. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil and put in the freezer to set for about an hour, or longer. Remove and Enjoy!