Banana Penguins

Ingredients (makes 9): 
Method: 
  1. Peel a banana, cut off the ends and slice the remainder into 3 evenly sized pieces. Repeat with the other two bananas. 
  2. Place the banana pieces on a lined tray or plate and pop into the freezer until frozen solid – at least 2 hours. 
  3. Break or chop the chocolate into small pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl. 
  4. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each one to ensure it melts evenly, until smooth and lump-free. 
  5. While the chocolate is melting, cut the chocolate beans in half for the penguin beaks. 
  6. Remove the banana pieces from the freezer.  
  7. Working quickly, push a cocktail stick into a banana piece and dip into the chocolate so that it resembles a penguin’s head and wings. 
  8. Carefully stand the banana penguin onto a lined tray or plate and remove the cocktail stick. Add two edible candy eyes, pushing them into the melted chocolate before it sets.  Add a chocolate bean beak, using some of the remaining melted chocolate to stick it in place. 
  9. Repeat with the remaining banana pieces. 
  10. Place your banana penguins on a plate and serve immediately or pop back in the freezer until ready to serve. 

*Note: If you don’t have a microwave, you can also melt the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of hot water.