This recipe offers a simple and delicious way to enjoy the sweetness of bananas in a unique candy form. It’s a healthier alternative to store-bought candies, made with minimal ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Ingredients:
- Overripe Bananas: 2-3 large, very ripe bananas (the riper, the sweeter)
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (to prevent browning)
- Optional:
- Coconut Flakes: For rolling (optional)
- Ground Nuts: For rolling (optional)
- Cocoa Powder: For dusting (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bananas: Peel the bananas and place them in a saucepan. Mash them well with a fork or potato masher until smooth and creamy.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in the lemon juice to prevent the banana puree from turning brown.
- Cook the Mixture: Place the saucepan over low heat. Cook and stir continuously for about 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture thickens significantly and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Shape the Candies:
- Option 1 (Simple): Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Option 2 (Shaped): Use a small cookie cutter to shape the mixture into desired shapes (hearts, stars, etc.) on the parchment paper.
- Cool and Set: Allow the candies to cool completely on the baking sheet at room temperature. Once set, they will become firm.
- Optional: Roll the cooled candies in coconut flakes, ground nuts, or dust them with cocoa powder.
- Store: Store the homemade banana candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips:
- For extra sweetness, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the banana puree.
- You can dehydrate the banana mixture for a chewier candy.
- Experiment with different flavors by adding a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom to the mixture.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy homemade banana candies!