Fudge-Filled Chocolate-Coated Banana Pops

Inspired by a Dairy Queen delicacy, bananas, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate give the illusion of overpriced indulgence made in a few minutes at home. With a chocolaty almond fudge filling and a solid chocolate coating, creamy frozen bananas can battle any ice cream bar in this customizable treat that everyone will love.

banana pops

Fudge-Filled Chocolate-Coated Banana Pops

For the almond chocolate fudge filling:
1/2 cup roasted creamy almond butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

4 medium bananas, peeled and cut in half length-wise
8 dowels or popsicle sticks

For the chocolate coating:
1 cup nondairy semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil

To assemble:
Toppings, such as chopped toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, gogi berries, coconut flakes, rice crisp cereal, candied ginger, hemp seeds, trail mix, grated orange peel, et cetera

To make the filling, put the almond butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until smooth. Spread the mixture on each banana half. Put a dowel in the filling (so it sticks), then top with the other banana half. Freeze on a waxed paper-lined plate or cutting board in the freezer until the bananas are frozen and the fudge is firm, about 3 hours.

To make the coating, put the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals on medium-power, stirring between each one, until melted and smooth. It is easiest if the melted chocolate is in a shallow bowl for dipping, so scrape the mixture into one if desired.

Working with one banana pop at a time, spread whichever topping you are going to use for the first banana on a plate. Once you dip the banana pop in the chocolate, it will harden quickly, so you want to work quickly. Dip the banana pop in the chocolate, then either roll it in the topping of choice or sprinkle it on. Return the pop to the waxed paper. Repeat with the remaining pops. Freeze until the coating is solid and the banana, if it thawed at all, has rehardened. Serve from the freezer, and store extras in a sealable container or plastic bag in the freezer.

Chocolate Cherry Fudge Pops

Starting with a pudding base, these rich fudge pops shine with a chocolate-cherry combination that everyone is sure to love. You can buy molds for under $2 at the grocery store.

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Chocolate Cherry Fudge Pops

  • Servings: 6 to 8 pops
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2 cups nondairy milk*
1/3 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons tapioca starch
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sweet cherries, pitted and finely chopped

Whisk the nondairy milk, agave nectar, and vanilla extract together in a medium saucepan. Add the cornstarch and cocoa powder; whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil on medium heat, then reduce to a simmer, whisking often, for 2 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the cherries. Let cool 10 minutes, then pour into the ice pop mold. Chill completely, at least overnight. To serve, run hot water on the side of the mold to loosen.

*For the nondairy milk, I used unsweetened coconut milk beverage in the carton. Almond milk is a great option, too.

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Chocolate Mousse Dip

I was creating a recipe to use local Southbrook Vineyards‘ Bioflavia, an organic red wine grape skin powder loaded with antioxidants. Beginning with wine-waste—the leftovers from crushing grapes for wine—the skins are dried, separated, and milled into a fine powder. This dip is an antioxidant powerhouse, with both Bioflavia and cocoa powder as main ingredients. Enjoy as a fruit dip, use as a pie filling, or simply eat it with a spoon (I choose the latter). You can nix the Bioflavia if you can’t get your hands on it; it will taste the same.

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Chocolate Mousse Dip

4 small to medium ripe avocados
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder, sifted
1/2 cup agave nectar, pure maple syrup, or coconut syrup
2 scoops (20g) Bioflavia*
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch salt
4 to 8 tablespoons unsweetened nondairy milk

Put the avocados, cocoa powder, agave nectar, Bioflavia, vanilla extract, and salt in a food processor. Process until smooth, adding nondairy milk as necessary. Refrigerate overnight before serving for best flavor. It will thicken in the refrigerator; thin with additional nondairy milk before serving if desired. Serve with fresh fruit, or enjoy as a pudding/mousse.

*Bioflavia comes with a little scoop inside the container.

chocolate mousse

Those little tiny blackish bits in the mousse are the grape skin pieces, but it doesn’t taste gritty (or like anything) at all. Just smooth, silky, deliciousness.