A Decadent and Crunchy Banana Recipe

Posted by Correen in Recipes, Treats | 2 comments

Each time that I have made this recipe it gets rave reviews from the crowd. Decadent for sure, one cookie bar is not going to kill you though! Banana, chocolate and peanut butter all meld together on top of a crunchy crust. Make sure to make, bake and eat this recipe within 24 hours…if they last that long!

Banana Crunch Bars

Ingredients
1-3/4 cups crushed chocolate wafers (about 36 wafers)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium bananas, sliced (1-1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon rum flavoring
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup peanut butter-flavored pieces
1 teaspoon shortening

Method
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl combine the crushed wafers, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter. Press into bottom of a greased 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack, about 10 minutes.

In a small saucepan combine corn syrup and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir over medium heat until melted and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in bananas and rum flavoring. Spoon banana mixture in an even layer over baked crust.

In a small saucepan combine the chocolate pieces, peanut butter-flavored pieces, and shortening. Stir over low heat until melted. Drizzle over the banana mixture. Cover and chill until set. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes before cutting into bars. Serve the same day. Makes 16 to 20 bars.

Reference: This recipe, by Anastassia Skarlinski, was the $200 winner in the Better Homes & Gardens Magazine contest September 2002.