Chocolate covered goodness...

I thought these would be fun for the girls to help me make, and well, they are fruit so they are kind of healthy, and chocolate makes everyone happy. I would like to apologize now for the shortening in this recipe, if it will make you squirm read no further, there isn't a lot in there but there is some. Sorry, but I am in the middle of operation eat what you have, and well that was in the pantry. I think you can use butter but I am unsure it will set up like the shortening does. OK let's refocus now on what's important, chocolate, oh and the fruit.


2 firm but ripe bananas
Strawberries
Semi sweet chocolate
1 tablespoon of Crisco- I had butter flavored, so I used it. I don't think leaving it out would be an issue at all
toppings- sprinkles, flakes of coconut, coarsely ground nuts, cookie crumbs, whatever you want. I had crushed heath bar ready to go but as the girls and I dipped we decided that we liked just plain chocolate.
Popsicle sticks or skewers or even lollipop sticks

Peel your bananas, and cut them in half. Not lengthwise though, insert a skewer or Popsicle stick.
Put them in the freezer for a good hour or two.









Wash and dry your berries. I bet blueberries would be divine...






I had a few squares of bakers chocolate, so I used that and used some chocolate chips. Place your chocolate into a bowl that can sit on top of a pot of water, make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl.
Or use your double boiler if it's not too big.




Add your shortening if you are using it. (A Tablespoon of Nutella would be divine to add, but my oldest is allergic to hazelnuts.) Turn the heat onto LOW, trust me on this LOW and slow is the best way to go.





Stir everything up, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, do not let it get too heated it will "freeze" up on you, I don't know what it's called but it gets all hard and pasty.







See? Smooth, take it off the pot of water.
I'd like to swim in that.







Take your banana's out of the freezer.
Dip them in the chocolate, and turn to coat.







Place them in a topping if you are using one and then on a parchment lined plate or baking sheet. Depending on how many you are making. Put them back in the freezer, until the chocolate has set, then you can wrap them up individually and keep them in the freezer.





Dip your berries.







Place them on parchment also and put them in the refrigerator to set.

OK now that that's all done with give your kids some cocktail forks and fruit and let them eat the rest of the chocolate and fruit and toppings. It's good warm. Messy, but who cares.