Nerdy Bananas

I wanted to create a twist on the American summer classic: the chocolate covered frozen banana. The fireworks display on Fourth of July inspired me to think of a way to capture the color bursts of this famous summer day. What better way to incorporate my favorite childhood candy--Willy Wonka's Nerds?

I didn't actually know if this unusual flavor combination would work. Nerds are sour and tangy, while the chocolate and banana are sultry and sweet. The addition of Nerds complements the sweetness perfectly, helping to cut through the richness. It's strangely addictive -- I've eaten two of them while writing this!

They're really easy to make and my four year old son, Alexander, was able to help roll the Nerds in the chocolate (he was also on chocolate cleanup duty).

I hope you try these and enjoy this bright and cheery summer treat.

LMNOpeas

3 ripe bananas
Baking sheet, lined with parchment or wax paper
Rainbow Colored Craft Sticks
8-10oz Chocolate of your choice - I used milk and dark
2 tbsp  unsalted butter + 1 tbsp shortening
small jar
2 pkg. Rainbow Nerds

Peel Bananas. Cut each banana in half (as shown in the photo). Insert a rainbow colored craft stick into the cut-end of each banana. Make sure you push gently so the banana doesn't break. Leave enough room on the end of stick to use as handle for dipping into chocolate.

Place bananas in Ziploc bag for 3-6 hrs or overnight. The more frozen solid the banana, the better the chocolate will adhere.

Chop chocolate into pieces and cut off  2 tbsp of butter. * I added an extra tbsp of shortening because my first batch of chocolate crystallized.* 

Fill a small pot or saucepan 1/2 way with water  and place bowl on top to create double boiler. Heat should be medium low to low to prevent burning of chocolate. When water starts to simmer, add chocolate and stir. Once it starts to melt, add butter and tbsp of shortening. Stir until smooth.

Remove from heat.

Pour two boxes of nerds onto plate or whatever surface you are using for rolling. Have your parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet nearby. Remove bananas from freezer. Pour chocolate into jar.

Finally, the fun part and the messiest. Roll banana around on plate with nerds and coat evenly.  Place on baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.  Repeat with remaining bananas. Place baking sheet into freezer for 30 min to set.

Enjoy!

Never Waste Chocolate!