Celebrate Banana Day

Dole Banana Bread Cake Pops!

As most banana lovers know, April 17th marks the delightful celebration of National Banana Day in the US. It's a day dedicated to enjoying this versatile fruit in all its glory. And what better way to celebrate than with a sweet, creative twist on a classic favorite? I'm talking about transforming the signature Classic Dole Banana Bread into delectable cake pops that are not only delicious but a blast to make!

Join us as we celebrate bananas with this unique treat that's perfect as a super fun afternoon snack or an exciting lunchtime surprise.

For the Banana Bread:

Follow the Classic Dole Banana Bread recipe.

For the Banana Icing:

2 large ripe bananas (frozen will work)

1/3 cup dates

1/3 cup cashew butter

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

2 tbsp honey

3 tbsp fine coconut flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Optional:

Dark chocolate (for dipping)

The Fun of Making Banana Bread Cake Pops:

Begin with your baked and cooled banana bread, made from the much-loved Classic Dole Banana Bread recipe. Once your bread is ready, the transformation into cake pops can start!

First, whip up the special banana icing. Simply combine ripe bananas, pitted sweet dates, creamy cashew butter, melted coconut oil and maple syrup in a food processor or blender. Process them until you get a smooth mixture. For a hint of warmth, add a dash of cinnamon—this is totally optional but highly recommended.

Next, get your hands in there. Crumble your banana bread into a big bowl, making sure to get a mix of fine crumbs and large chunks for texture. Add in 1 cup of your freshly made banana icing and mix until it holds together well when shaped.

Now comes the fun part! Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into bite-sized balls. Melt your dark chocolate in the microwave or double boiler until it's velvety smooth and ready for dipping. Dip (or drizzle) each banana bread ball into the chocolate, swirling it around to get a nice even coat. Finally, place your coated cake pops onto a tray lined with parchment paper.

Once all your cake pops are dipped, refrigerate them until the chocolate shell becomes firm.

Share these cake pops with friends and family or host a banana-themed party (on 4/17 or any day) -  you can find anything and everything you need to create a banana themed party here. 

Don't forget to snap some pictures of your cake pop creations and share them on social media too! Use #125BananaVersary to join the online celebration.

Published April 1, 2024