8/29/12

banana bread balls

Cake balls.
I like them, they're ok. I prefer cake balls made with real chocolate not dipping melts.
Something about that flavor of dipping melts is just not right--chemically? metallic?
The one thing that I hated about making cake balls is the batter is a little too delicate, sure I'm not a professional and really haven't made them a lot, so I could get better with practice.
With these banana bread balls, the dough/batter is so much easier to dip. Heartier, less chances of it falling apart when you dip them in chocolate.
Who doesn't love easier?
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(sorry for the moisture droplets on the chocolate; it's been a hot & humid summer on cape cod)
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So yes, these banana bread balls were a HUGE success; I was truly happy with the first run.
I'm certain you will be too.
Great idea to make with the kids. Just have your dipping station set up and it's so easy.
I highly recommend using the nuts--you really want that texture. You could also stick them on a stick.
So easy to make really. If you want to find a 'hard part'? It would dipping the balls in chocolate.

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Take a perfectly cooked loaf of banana bread, smash it up and mix with cream cheese.

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Roll into 1-2 inch size balls. And keep in fridge till ready to dip. Make sure the balls are always kept cold before dipping.

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Get your dipping station ready.

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For dipping, I used a plastic fork. Chopsticks also work well too.
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Make sure to sprinkle tops with chopped walnuts!
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Let set up until chocolate hardens.
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I used milk chocolate for dipping. But dark might work too.
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I think these lasted a day in the house? They are really good. A real treat.

I'll be taking a small blogging break for a few days.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

banana bread balls
print recipe

I used one of my favorite banana breads: Mama Dips’ Banana Bread.
Feel free to use whatever banan bread recipe you prefer.

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium; the browner, the better!)
3 TB sour cream
1 TB lemon juice
2 cups flour
1 1/2 ts baking powder
1/2 ts salt
1/2 ts baking soda

8 ounces of cream cheese, room temp
2 cups +/- of milk chocolate chips (for dipping)
1 cup of crushed walnuts or pecans, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In bowl of stand mixer, cream shortening and sugar.
Beat in eggs one at a time; then bananas, sour cream, and lemon juice.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Slowly add dry ingredients to mixture.

Pour into greased and floured 9x5x3 loaf pan.
Bake for 60 minutes.

Once bread is cooled. Crumble it up in a large bowl until you have crumbs—no large chunks should be remaining.
Add in the softened cream cheese. Mix well. I used my hands to mix this really well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let set up, harden.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop out 1 or 2 inch balls, roll into fairly uniform balls. If using a medium size ice cream scoop makes it easier then go ahead. Remember you don’t want balls any larger than 2 inches.
Once all balls are done, place in fridge to chill.
Temper milk or dark chocolate. I used about 2+ cups of milk chocolate chips.
You might need a bit more.
Once chocolate is tempered, using a plastic fork or chopsticks, dip balls into chocolate and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
Sprinkle the balls with the chopped nuts while chocolate is still soft.
It takes a while for the chocolate to harden or you can place them in the fridge to speed up the process.

They keep covered in air tight container in the fridge for about 3 days.
Should make about 25 balls; dependent on the size you roll them.

23 comments:

  1. Genius! They look amazing Dawn. Again- want to live in your kitchen!

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  2. I made banana chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with some too-brown bananas... Definitely should have saved them for this! Those look delicious!

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  3. Mama Dips! Have you ever been to the restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC? You must go there and give it a try.

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  4. I love everything about this!!!! I have been on a massive banana bread kick while gone and started Banana Bread Fest this week and I love these, Dawn! Seriously amazing - just the balls, even without the chocolate, hubba hubba....love the cream cheese added!

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  5. Um yeah that candy melt stuff...totally tastes like plastic to me. Weirdness. I'd take chocolate covered banana bread over those any day! Also...I love that you mashed up the bread with cream cheese instead of a can of frosting. Good stuff.

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  6. yeah i'm with you on those melts. these balls, omg, love the idea of banana bread and cream cheese in there! YUM.

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  7. I don't really like cake balls either. But I LOVE banana bread. Super smart. Don't like the candy melts either. They taste like plastic. Ha, I just looked up and saw that Joanne said the same thing and hadn't even seen that yet.
    I am calling these healthy. ;)
    Have a great holiday weekend!

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  8. Love everything about these cake balls - flavor, texture and best of all, they don't look like cake balls. More like truffles! 8-)

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  9. SO much better than cakeballs AND plain ol' banana bread. i love that you dipped them in chocolate, you stinker. :)

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  10. Georgous, tasty & lovely creations wiich I can totaly devour! :)

    Another must make of yours, dear Dawn! :) xxx Superb pics too!

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  11. Oh yeah! Love these, and I am having major issues keeping up with my always ripening bananas. Yum yum yum.

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  12. I've never made cake balls....always thought I'd screw it up.
    These are a huge success and love you've used banana bread as a base. Yes, great fun for the kids. Also fun for my Garden Club!

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  13. I usually hate making things like this, but these look so amazing that I will have to give them a shot.

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  14. What a fabulous idea! I've never made cake balls/pops because they seem like too much work but these look worth a little extra effort!

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  15. I adore cake balls and what a terrific idea to make banana bread balls - very neat!

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  16. Simply, truly, wonderfully... Amazing! YOU ROCK my friend!!!

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  17. I came over to read the interview with Heather and got transfixed by these banana bread balls. I love the use of banana bread instead of cake. I bet you could use up lots of different kinds of breads that way. Have a great weekend.
    -Gina-

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  18. What an awesome and creative idea! I'm definitely going to make using it in the near future. SO many possible combos to be made too!

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  19. I love these. I truly think you are genius for making them!!!

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  20. I will be making these today, however going to use butterscotch instead of chocolate! Thanks for the great recipe!

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