Gone Banana's!

So I was at work one day, minding my own business, when a friend walked in a told me about this discovery she had made in the grocery store...Yes folks, that is a box of Banana Nut Cheerios!! Aka, my weakness in a box!!! There are only two things in the world (food wise at least) that make me go crazy...peanut butter and banana! When she told me about these I knew I didn't even have to buy the Cheerios to know I would fall in love!! So, I got to thinking, and decided I would try to make a dessert bar out of these little treasures! I have attempted Cheerio bars in the past and they were always a huge hit, so I thought, why not try to make it with these Banana Nut Cheerios maybe add some things...and then it hit me...CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANAS!!!! Ah yes, the infamous chocolate covered banana!!! Who doesn't love this dessert!! And come on, you even get a serving of fruit!!! Ok maybe not in my take on it, but hey there's fiber!! So I went home, with my ideas stored away, hit the grocery store and came up with this amazing treat!!
Chocolate Covered Banana Dessert Bars

(from the kitchen of Liesl)

4 tablespoons butter

5 1/2 cups marshmallows

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon banana extract

6 cups Banana Nut Cheerios

11.5 ounce bag of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chips

2 ounces of chopped pecans

Spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with non stick cooking spray. In a deep non-stick soup pan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows and combine with butter until melted completely. Remember to stir, you don't want the marshmallows to burn. While stirring add the vanilla and banana extract. Turn off heat and add the Banana Nut Cheerios one cup at a time, until all combined. Immediately transfer Cheerios mixture into your greased baking dish. To spread the bars I always use a zip lock baggie sprayed with non stick cooking spray and press the bars down. This works well, because the cheerios don't stick to you as you spread them out.

Using a double boiler (or you can melt chocolate in microwave using a microwave safe bowl), melt the entire bag of Ghirardelli Chocolate. Remember to stir the chocolate too...chocolate can easily burn! Once melted add a couple spoonfuls of the chopped pecans and stir to combine. Spread melted chocolate over the cheerio bars. Sprinkle remaining chopped pecans on top. Let cool until the chocolate is set. Enjoy!!These bars were absolutely heavenly. I actually brought some into work so that my friend could take some good pictures of them. My camera just wouldn't do these bars the justice they deserve! So yes, there are a lot of pictures of these bars, but come on...look at them!!!
I asked my husband last night what he would rate the bars if he had to (between 1 and 10) and he said 8! FREAKING 8!!! LOL I asked him why an 8 to which he responded "It's just a cereal bar honey, not like a cake or anything!" HAHA Seriously he doesn't know his desserts! This bar was so delicious and I hope you give it a try, I would love to hear your feedback!

***Photography by Kristen Wiltse