I have a special treat for you today … My sweet friend Dena from Back to the Book Nutrition is visiting with us sharing three of her favorite frozen fruit desserts perfect for summertime. Because I got a sneak peek at these recipes, my family already made her scrumptious Frozen Banana Pops and let me assure you that they’re definitely a huge hit! Next on our must-make list is her decadent fruit floats. Yum! So, take it away, Dena …
Frozen Fruit Desserts Your Family Will Love
by Dena at Back to the Book Nutrition
Despite my passion for dessert, our family tries to only indulge on the weekend. During the summer, our weekend treat tends to be something fruity or frozen, like the three amazingly simple and delicious frozen fruit desserts that I’m sharing below.
If you’re a dessert lover like me, you’ll appreciate that each of these feature delicious, refreshing, and healthy fruits straight from God’s creation. Packed with all-natural sweetness and flavor, they’re also loaded with nutrition! So, they’re sweet treats you can feel good about feeding your family … and even though they’re healthy, I guarantee your family will love them!
Fruit Floats
I developed these fruit floats last summer, and they were an immediate favorite with our family and friends. We made endless varieties throughout the season, and I’ve already had requests to make them again, now that summer is in full gear.
The idea is similar to an old-fashioned coke or root beer float – only the ice cream floats in 100% fruit purees that take just a few minutes to blend. Get the recipes for the three Fruit Float recipes pictured (Strawberry-Banana-Coconut, Cherry-Berry, and Pineapple). Or try my original Fruit Floats recipes (Watermelon-Strawberry, Mango-Orange, and Blueberry-Pineapple).
Organic Fruit Juice Popsicles
Few desserts are simpler than fruit juice popsicles. Once summer is in full swing, you’ll find a batch of them in our freezer on any given day. Sometimes we simply pour fruit juice into the popsicle molds, but occasionally, I’ll get out the Vitamix and blend some frozen fruit with a little juice for a change. You’ll find three of our favorite healthy, homemade and economical Organic Fruit Juice Popsicle recipes over at my blog.
Chocolate Covered Banana Pops
The first time I enjoyed these pops was almost 20 years ago at a VBS during a mission trip to Honduras. Women from the little country church thoughtfully handmade the frozen treats for all of the children and volunteers. They were a huge hit – not only because they were delicious, but because these children rarely enjoyed treats of any kind, let alone chocolate dipped bananas!
Now I’m seeing various recipes for banana pops both online and in stores, but I only recently made them myself. I’m not sure why I waited so long, especially since the whole family loves them!
Any type of chocolate can be melted for dipping. (I use Enjoy Life chocolate chunks, which are gluten free, dairy free and soy free – don’t let that description fool you, though – they’re delicious!)
Our favorite sprinkled toppings are pictured here – chopped peanuts, almonds and shredded coconut. However, you can use just about anything – a sprinkle of sea salt, additional chopped chocolate, maybe even a drizzle of nut or seed butter… Oh dear, those all sound so good! I had better focus, or I’ll be running off to try some of those new ideas.
Ingredients
- 2 very large or 4 small fresh ripe bananas
- 1/2 bag (5oz) Enjoy Life chocolate mega chunks
- 1 tsp pure coconut oil
- Pinch of sea salt (optional)
- 1/2 cup (2 tbsp per pop) of desired toppings (chopped nuts, etc.)
- 4 popsicle sticks (or cake pop sticks)
- Wax paper
- Cutting board, cookie sheet or other flat surface for freezing
Instructions
- Prepare the cutting board or cookie sheet by covering with wax paper.
- Set out your toppings and do any chopping or other prep that’s needed before continuing.
- Place chocolate and coconut oil in a small saucepan over the stove. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly until just melted, then turn heat off. (Alternatively, place ingredients in a glass bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each. Should take only 45-60 seconds of heating time to melt the chocolate). Add a pinch of sea salt if desired.
- Peel the bananas, slice into halves if using large ones, or just slice one tip off if using small ones.
- Gently insert a cake pop or popsicle stick into the flat end of one banana, then carefully press until it is inserted about halfway down the length of the banana.
- Either dip the banana pop into the melted chocolate, or use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate onto the banana, turning so that the entire banana is evenly coated. Allow any excess to drip back into the chocolate dish.
- Lay the chocolate covered banana at one end of the wax paper-covered board, then sprinkle generously with toppings.
- Repeat the dipping and topping for all pops, then place the board in the freezer for at least 20 minutes, or until chocolate is set.
- If storing in freezer overnight or longer, be sure to cover or transfer the banana pops to an airtight container. To serve, allow banana pops to sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
Thanks again to Kelly for inviting me over for a visit today. I hope these fruit-filled desserts help make the rest of the summer a little sweeter for you and your readers’ families!
Dena Norton is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) turned stay at home mom. She and her husband, Rick currently have two precious children, ages 4 and 22 months. In 2013 she started Back To The Book Nutrition, a business and blog that inspires others to enjoy and worship God through nutrition and health. Subscribe to Dena’s blog or join her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
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