Sweet Treat Week: Recipe # 1 - Banana Chocolate Bars

Welcome to Sweet Treat Week~ a week where I have decided to dedicate this blog to all things sweet.  Some of them will be healthy and lighter versions of desserts or drinks.  Others will be indulgences that you should make when you're in need of them.  It's okay, you can have some then share the extra calories with friends!  That's what I like to do (Ha!) 

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)

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.   

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!