Cinnamon Bananas

The next time you’re jonesing for a sweet treat, try this easy Cinnamon Bananas recipe. It’s made with naturally sweet bananas, healthy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and uses a touch of honey. Unlike white sugar, raw honey contains phenolic compounds, which act as natural antioxidants; a review of several epidemiological studies have shown that regular intake of phenolic compounds is associated with reduced risk of heart diseases.

A lower-calorie riff on bananas flambe — hold the alcohol, butter, and several tablespoons of sugar — this version enhances the already-sweet nature of ripe bananas through caramelization. This cooking process draws out the sugars in a food, cooking them until they brown. Caramelizing the bananas adds a lightly sweet crust to the warmed fruit slices, and makes it unnecessary to add any more sweetener than a couple of teaspoons of raw honey.

Spices are having their “it” moment these days — it’s hard to find a trendy savory recipe that doesn’t include turmeric. Cinnamon and nutmeg are part of this special spice club; both contain free-radical fighting antioxidants. Plus, it can make your house smell like the holidays year-round!

In addition to being a simple and healthy dessert or snack, this recipe is also a tasty way to get rid of those squishy, slightly overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter. It’s also a lower-carb, lower-calorie way to taste all of the comforting flavors of banana bread without feeling weighed down by flour. A serving of our Cinnamon Bananas has just 73 calories and 19g of carbs; an average slice of banana bread contains 196 calories and 33g of carbs.

Tip: Save this treat for the older kids; it’s not recommended to feed raw honey to babies, due to the (rare) risk of botulism poisoning.

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