Banana Birthday Treat

My daughter’s birthday is in July and, per our tradition, each year I let her choose what she wants to eat. In years past, that has usually led to eating out at a restaurant and always involved ice cream and/or cake. What can I say? Kaylyn loves dessert. Truthfully, “loves” may be putting it mildly!

However, she’s been eating healthier lately and I didn’t want to take away from her efforts. She requested a meal fit for a queen. A healthy queen. The only question would be what she would want for dessert. So, this year I decided not to give her the option of a birthday cake. I know, I know…you don’t mess with tradition! I was prepared, though. Knowing that dessert would still be demanded, I wanted to give her a birthday treat that was sweet but somewhat healthy. She’s intolerant to most dairy and along with my gluten free requirements, I started thinking about s’mores. Maybe I miss camping too.

Ingredients:
4 bananas (firm work best)
8 tbsp Mini-marshmallows
8 tbsp + 4 tsp Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (dairy free)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Spray 4 square sheets of aluminum foil with Pam or other cooking spray.
Slice bananas down the middle (not all the way through). Using the back of a spoon, gently separate the banana to create an opening big enough to stuff.
Place one banana on each sheet of aluminum foil.
In each banana, fill with 2 tbsp of mini chocolate chips.
After the chocolate chips, place 2 tbsp mini marshmallows on top, pushing them in slightly to make sure they don’t fall out.
Sprinkle top of marshmallows with 1 tsp chocolate chips.
Wrap up foil, leaving room at the top of the banana (so that the foil doesn’t stick to the marshmallows). Place foil packages on a cookie sheet and place in the oven.
Bake for 3-5 minutes, until marshmallows have melted. Remove from oven and turn oven to Broil.
Unwrap the top of the foil on each banana and put back in the oven. Let cook for 1-2 minutes more, browning the marshmallows slightly.
Remove from oven and place foil packets on individual plates.

Note: Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, or gluten free graham crackers, if desired.

While she was a little dismayed, once she saw this treat, she was more than happy to forgo the cake. Whew!