First you’ll need to prepare the bananas. Simply peel the bananas and cut them in half.

Next gently press a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana piece. Place bananas on a baking sheet pan covered with parchment or wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 3 hours. I like to prepare my bananas the night before so that they are ready to dip the next day.

When you are ready to coat the bananas in chocolate it is a good idea everything prepared before you get started. Lay out parchment or wax paper on a flat surface for the finished bananas and place your optional toppings in shallow dishes so they’re ready to go.

Now it is time to melt the chocolate. There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can use a microwave-safe bowl, a double boiler , or my personal favorite a mason jar and a small pan of water. I like to use the mason jar because a narrow glass jar is the perfect shape for dipping a banana and keeping the chocolate from spreading apart. If you don’t have a double boiler or a mason jar you can always use a heatproof bowl set on top of a pan of water for a similar effect!

If you are using a microwave then you’ll want to put your chocolate chips and shortening in a medium size bowl and microwave it in 30 second increments stirring in between until the chocolate is almost melted then switch to 15-second increments until it is smooth.

If you are using a double boiler or a mason jar you can place the chocolate chips and shortening in the top of the double boiler or the jar and heat the pan over medium heat stirring frequently until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Be careful not to get any water into the chocolate.

Once your chocolate is melted it is time to dip the bananas. One at a time hold the cold banana by the stick and dip it into the chocolate mixture, if you are using a bowl or double boiler you may have to roll the banana around to get it completely covered. Hold the banana over the melted chocolate letting the excess chocolate drain off for a few seconds. If this is your first time doing this don’t get frustrated if they are not perfect or it is a little messy, you’ll get the hang of it quickly!

Then, working quickly while the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle on your toppings, or roll the banana in the toppings.

Set the finished banana on your prepared parchment or wax paper for the chocolate to harden completely.

Repeat until all of your bananas are chocolate covered.

You can serve these immediately after you are finished making them or you can return them to the freezer for a later time. If you are freezing them you’ll want to wrap them individually with plastic wrap and keep them in an airtight container. When you are ready to eat them take them out of the freezer for about 5-10 minutes before serving so that they can soften just a little.