Let's start off with sweet treat # 1 - Banana Chocolate Bars. This is a cross between an indulgence and a not-too-bad-for-you treat. After all, it has bananas in it. No butter is in it. But it does have chocolate and sugar. It's very tasty and I make some variation of this dessert often for my husband. I finally decided to share it here too.
Banana Chocolate Bars
(Makes 16 bars)
(Makes 16 bars)
2 bananas, ripened and mashed
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 and 1/4 cup of unbleached flour (I used white wheat flour)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup of yogurt (I used plain, fat-free)
1/4 cup of milk
1/4 cup of oil (or use 1/2 cup of applesauce)
1 cup of chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch square pan with cooking spray and put it aside. In a large bowl, mix banana and sugar together using a hand mixer. Blend for about three minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Add in the yogurt and milk. In a separage bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture. Continue using the mixer, blending the mixture on low speed, to make the cake-like batter. Once fully blended, gently fold in the chocolate chips. Pour or scoop out batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Insert a knife to test for doneness.
1 cup of chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch square pan with cooking spray and put it aside. In a large bowl, mix banana and sugar together using a hand mixer. Blend for about three minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Add in the yogurt and milk. In a separage bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture. Continue using the mixer, blending the mixture on low speed, to make the cake-like batter. Once fully blended, gently fold in the chocolate chips. Pour or scoop out batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Insert a knife to test for doneness.
Let bars cool completely before cutting into 16 squares. Then place in the fridge. (Note: A plastic knife works better than a regular knife!) Chill for several hours. Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers you have in an air-tight container.
These bars will keep in the freezer for up to two months. Defrost them in the fridge overnight before eating.
Yummy! Banana and chocolate - a winning combination!
Yum! I love banana and chocolate together! Those sound great!
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