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Vanilla Fudge Frosting

My brain is fried like Fakin’ Bacon!

In fact, it’s so fried I accidentally just wrote brian instead of brain. After plowing through a three-page essay, I needed a break. Enter afternoon snack:

Baked sweet potato with coconut Banana Butter.

Yes, coconut banana butter. It’s something I’d been meaning to try for ages. And now I’m wishing I’d tried it a whole lot sooner, because this stuff kicks butt…ernut squash.

homemade coconut butter

Vanilla Fudge Frosting

(or Coconut Banana Butter)

  • 1/2 a very-ripe large banana (80g to 100g)
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut butter or homemade coconut butter
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon (omit for a whiter frosting)
  • 1/16th tsp salt
  • optional: a few drops pure vanilla extract
  • The ripe banana gives it sweetness, but you can add a little stevia or powdered sugar or maple syrup if you want it sweeter. Or use a non-ripe banana and extra sweetener if you don’t want any banana flavor in the frosting.

To make the frosting, just blend all ingredients together. (It’s even better if you microwave the banana for like 10-15 seconds before adding other ingredients.) Be sure not to use a cold or frozen banana unless you completely thaw it first, because it will solidify the coconut butter and make it taste grainy.

Edit: for those of you who asked for the nutritional info: Serving Size: 1 tablespoon, Calories: 40, Fat grams: 4, Deliciousness: 1 bazillion!

artisana coconut butter sweet potato

Update:  Use this recipe to make Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge!

A few lucky spoonfuls jumped into a roasted-sweet-potato blanket. (I bet even Linus would give up his blankie for one of those!) I’ve found a new nut butter obsession. As if I needed another one….

Have you tried coconut butter yet?

Also, does anyone have tips to re-charge a fried brain (or a fried brian, as the case may be)?

Published on January 18, 2011

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Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
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ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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150 Comments

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  1. Julia (The Veggie Side) says

    I love this… Ima banana LOVER!!!! (Seriously, I eat a LOT of bananas.) My fave way to eat sweet potatoes is homemade “Sweet Potato Chips”. SO good!

    I like coconut butter but I love coconut oil! I have found so many uses for that stuff!!!

  2. Mary says

    Hi Katie,
    I absolutely ADORE your blog. But I have a request:
    I know you don’t count calories, but if you do happen to know the calories for a certain recipe, could you list it, maybe even in very small print at the bottom?
    I have been trying hard to lose weight, because I am considered obese and desperately need it for my health. I’ve just embarked on this healthy eating thing, and your recipes have been so helpful in making me not feel deprived while still eating healthy. I can’t tell you how much I love the fudge babies! But since I’m still new at this, I don’t know all the calorie counts for specific food items, so it’s hard for me to add things up sometimes. It would be SUCH a huge help if you listed the counts when you know them. I completely understand if you don’t want to. It is your blog, after all! But it would be such a help to those of us who are counting calories.
    Anyway, I also wanted to stop by and thank you for all your hard work with this blog. You have a great thing going here, and I am so grateful every day that I found you. This is my first comment, but I’ll be back every day. Consider me a new convert to the “Chocolate Covered Diet Philosophy” of yours :).

    • Melissa says

      🙂

      I always head to sparkpeople and use their recipe calculator. You can search foods in their database and it’s very easy. I know Katie isn’t keen on calorie counting BUT if you want, feel free to email me (leonakitty@wildmail . com – remove the spaces) and I can calculate for you. I commiserate with you and would love to help.

      If you haven’t joined sparkpeople.com, I HIGHLY suggest it! I lost 60 lbs and have kept it off a year by tracking food/exercise. I’m LEONALIONESS on spark if you join and want a buddy. It’s free and awesome!

      • Mary says

        Thank you both SO MUCH! It’s really nice to have support. Thanks Melissa, your encouragement means so much to me :).

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Aw Mary, Melissa is right that I’ve always been anti-calorie-counting for myself… but you really made a good point in your comment. I’ll try to post the counts more often, because I do know that you’re not the only calorie-counter who reads my blog. And if I don’t post the #s for a particular recipe, you can always leave a comment and ask me to calculate it for ya :).

  3. Melissa says

    Okay, this awesome!
    1) less calorific way to eat coconut butter, 2) will spread my coconut butter supply farther and save me money! 3) COCONUT + BANANA? Love.

    Genius, lady.

  4. Albizia says

    I am probably the only one here who has never eaten a sweet potato. And fortunately it’s not on my list of things I am dying to try because sweet potatoes are very hard to find where I live and cost more than I’d pay.

    My poor brain is not fried. It’s dead. I’m writing my Master’s degree thesis (about 90 pages so far) while trying to arrange my future after graduation. I’m like a ball of nerves and I definitely need big amounts of fruit and nut butters to keep me going. My best way to recharge is fresh air. A nice long walk out in the cold works wonders.

  5. Fi says

    Oh katie, just when i think youve cracked it with banana butter, you now have banana cocnut butter, holy yum, genius! im a simple kinda gal, i like my sweet taters roasted with butter-that is all 🙂

  6. Disturbed says

    This looks amazing! I love sweet potatoes, love them. I usually eat them just mashed up with a little bit (like a tbsp) of almond or peanut butter.
    It is a-mazing!

  7. Allison @ Happy Tales says

    Giiiirl you need to create a cookbook! Seriously now… everyone would buy it! And I have yet to try coconut butter yet. It’s on the list though!

    My favorite way to eat a sweet potato is roasted with cinnamon. Mmmmm.

  8. Lindsey says

    My favorite way to eat a sweet potato is to chop it up and make sweet potato fries 🙂 Roll the slices in a little EVOO, sea salt, and pepper and pop them in the oven! They are delish! With a regular sweet potato, I like it with butter…no cinnamon though.

  9. Caitlin (EatFeats) says

    All ways.

    When I need to recharge, I usually swim or do some other hard workout. I especially like workouts that allow me to punch water or air or bags or other people. Really relieves the stress!

  10. VEGirl says

    mmmm… how yummy. Especially in a yam or sweet potato! I love putting nut butter on sweet potatoes– my favorite is almond butter 🙂

    I read cooks books and blogs when my brain is fried. I may also take a mindless walk with music or an audio book, if I have the energy. My brain is being fried to a crisp with the constant rehearsals for the play I’m in, so I am just trying to take it easy on my days off!

    VEGirl

  11. Stefanie says

    Yummy! My favorite way to eat a sweet potato is topped with hummus. I actually prefer yams because I like the texture and taste better. The banana butter with coconut reminds me of a tropical treat of some sort.

  12. Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!) says

    I haven’t tried coconut butter on a sweet potato, but my favorite way to eat a sweet potato is spiralized, sprayed with EVOO, sprinkled with S&P, cinnamon and nutmeg, and baked into curly “fries.” I’m obsessed with them.

      • Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!) says

        Yes, it’s amazing how the spiralizer cuts the potato–so much easier than using a knife! I actually did a post about it showing a play-by-play (It’s from earlier this month called “Spiralized Sweet Potatoes? YES!”). If you try it, I look forward to hearing how you like it! Maybe there will be a coconut banana butter dipping sauce involved (instead of ketchup)? Who knows! 🙂

  13. Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says

    YUM!!! is this the one you mentioned to me earlier about the banana-coconut? Great combo, right?

    I just adore baked sweet potatoes! I just bake about 3-5 at a time, and then wrap em up for later snacking. My favorite way to eat it is with a dollop of almond butter and cinnamon. Tastes like a sweet potato pie to me 🙂

    So glad you finished that paper! Ugh. I dread writing essays….In fact, after I am done writing this comment, I am going to write an essay on the Flowering Judas by Katherine Anne Porter. I have to discuss “the role of women, political aspects, emotions involved, and why it is critically acclaimed.” I don’t know if you ever read it, but it is quite a doosy for a short story. Blech! I don’t think it will be quite three pages…maybe 2 1/2 😉

    My fav ways to recharge my brain are drinking lots of water, eating a big meal full of protein, carbs, vitamins, and healthy fats (very balanced), taking a walk, taking a shower, and then taking a nap 🙂

  14. Kim says

    Oh wow, that looks delish! That sweet potato must be just heavenly, especially considering that a dab of butter and pinch of salt and I still consider one good enough for dessert:)

    As for recharging a fried brain, well… I have a brain condition that causes me to feel that way too much of the time. I have found in struggling to deal with my “new” brain that diet is incredibly important now, much more so than before. I avoid junk food even more zealously than I used to. Another biggie is avoiding sugar. Sugar’s great for a short-term boost but wreaks havoc on me in the long term so it’s just best I avoid it if I’m craving energy. Finally, my secret weapon, Rhodiola rosea. I don’t take it all the time but I’ve found that it does do wonders for me in a pinch!

  15. Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says

    WAAAH I really REALLY wish coconut butter was available in England!! But on the upside, I CAN make your original banana butter! 😀

    Quite frankly Katie, you are a genius. I have said it many times before, but I’ll keep saying it!!

  16. Virginia @ YtotheUmmy says

    mm, this looks tasty! Also, I commented on this a looong time ago, but I’ll say it again, there is a huge difference in the quality of your pictures! Really, they look incredible! Keep it up!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Oh Virginia, really you have no idea how much that means to me! I’ve been trying to pay more attention to lighting, and I stopped using flash. So the fact that someone actually noticed really makes me so happy! 🙂

    • abby says

      i love mashed sweet potatoes too… i bet that’d be really good with coconut butter mixed in before mashing. hmmm…

  17. Camille says

    This looks amazing and it has given me the best lunch idea ever. Thanks darlin 🙂
    P.S. How did you like The Hangover?

  18. Eleanor@eatinglikeahorse says

    I tried coconut banana butter and was going to comment but thought it’d be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs because you’re the pro on both!
    I’ve never tried the sweet potato/nut butter combination but that picture’s persuaded me to 🙂

  19. melissa @ the delicate place says

    oh nom. you know, i don’t really care for bnut squash. give me kabocha or sweet potato every and any day! i still like almond butter better than coconut butter (heresy! ;p)

  20. Maryann says

    I LOVE sweet potatoes!! Topped with PB is amazing. I like coconut butter but havent thought of putting it on sweet potatoes, great idea! I need to make this soon 🙂

  21. Tricia says

    Ilove sweet potato fries and unfortunately i can’t find coconut butter but i’m dying to try it because i love coconut. <3

  22. emily says

    i’ve been away in the hospital for quite awhile, but i’m back now & so excited to catch up on things here…. such as eating pizzerts for lunch. the base involved diced strawberries, water, vanilla, & cinnamon.. and the finished product was drizzled with an unfortunately non-vegan sauce (the amazingness of frozen strawberries, cottage cheese, sweetener, vanilla, and a splash of milk in the magic bullet until silky smooth) and fresh strawberries. i told you about the first time i made it, but i felt like telling you again, because it made me so happy. 😉

    but really– i have missed keeping up with your blog & hope things are going well for you. have a lovely evening my dear. <3

  23. Embodying Freedom says

    Considering I am a lazy college student, it’s no surprise that I like my sweet potatoes nuked in the microwave until soft. Then I either eat them plain (so good!) or sprinkle some salt on them to bring out all the flavors. Totally beats a normal baked potato.

  24. Elle says

    that sounds sooo good! i have to take a break from homework now to make some. running and cooking are my favorite ways to recharge my brain. i usually can’t do my homework until i’ve gotten a run in!
    i have tried coconut butter and i love it! and my favorite way to make sweet potatoes is roasting them in the oven with a little olive oil and some spices. 🙂

  25. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says

    Can you come over and spoon feed me this? I’ll make you a sweet potato if you do.

    In all seriousness, this looks amazing. I am not a calorie counter, but do love my nut butters and it gets out of control sometimes – perfect solution!

  26. Heather says

    “Kicks butt…ernut squash” Oh my gosh, too funny! Haha!

    Girl, you have seriously got me drooling over here! I LOVE sweet potatoes and then you go and cover them in this creamy deliciousness? What?!

    My favorite way to eat sweet potatoes is HEAB’s way of roasting them in cocoa powder! Seriously life changing!

    Best thing for a fried brain? Veggin’…like total blank-eyed-staring at the good ole boob tube! 😉 Ohh, or coloring! Hehe! I love me a good coloring book and some fresh Crayolas!

  27. Namaste Gurl says

    That looks *exactly* like my snack, girl! People laugh at me for preferring a sweet potato to ice cream for a snack, hehe. Favorite way to eat a sweet potato is of course, smothered with nut or coconut butter 🙂 I don’t see why people wreck them and add a bunch of brown sugar and marshmallows; they’re SOOO sweet on their own. Roast for an hour and you’ve got ooey- gooey deliciousness!

  28. Tessa says

    I finally tired almond butter and coconut butter on my sweet potato earlier this week. I LOVE gauc with my sweet potato so the thought of something sweet on my potato never sounded appealing. Ohhhhh am I glad I finally tried it. Just another excuse to smother something in almond/coconut butter. Now, I must try coconut banana butter!

  29. emma says

    mmmm….i love me a sweet tater with mashed up avocado and chopped sundried tomatoes. You are utterly fabulous girlie! x x

  30. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says

    Girl I have so many recipes that call for bananas, mushed, mashed, sliced and diced, I am the queen of using bananas…so this is just another way I can put my nana’s to use.

    One of the ways I like to combine banana + coconut butter/oil now is to make GF vegan muffins. I stir all ingredients together and in like 3 mins, my muffin mix is made. Baking with coconut oil and bananas makes your house smell soooo good!

    🙂

  31. Lauren @ Coachlauren.net says

    I’ve never tried coconut butter but this looks awesome, I love sweet potato’s! Before I stopped eating dairy I used to love them with cinnamon butter.

  32. Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day says

    that sweet potato looks amazing!

    Also, the raw enchiladas in your last post had me drooling!

  33. Gill (snaxandthecity) says

    haha i love “deliciousness: 1 bazillion” !!

    i keep ooh-inh and ahh-ing at your creations and then being too lazy to make them! time to step up!

  34. Kiki says

    Must. Obtain. Coconut butter… mostly so I can actually make all your delish recipes 🙂

    Favorite way to eat a sweet p: baked whole and topped with hummus/almond butter or roasted in fry shapes. Nom.

  35. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    My favorite way is to eat them in fry form..still. 😛 And as for the second question, no..but I sure as heck plan to!

  36. Moni'sMeals says

    Hi Katie!

    This looks like my kinda snack! Just super. 😉

    Great discussions going on here, I am all updated.

    Rest that Brain of yours. 🙂

  37. Ashley@Quasichick says

    “My brain is fried like fakin’-bacon” I know exactly how you feel honey!

    I ususally eat my sweet pot. with cinnamon and stevia. Now I have something new to try! Thanks so much Katie!

  38. Felicia ( a taste of health with balance) says

    ohh how i feel your pain. i just completed a 30 page research paper. talk about a fried brain!!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Wow, oh my gosh, thank you so much for SUCH a sweet comment! 🙂
      For the sweet potato, I roast it first, but then I microwave it for 2-3 minutes afterwards, to get it soft. ‘Cause yeah, I’ve had that same issue with them getting dry!

  39. Luciana says

    I’m coming out of lurking mode to say how delicious this is. I added a couple teaspoons of raw cacao powder, and I’ve been eating it on my Ezekiel Muffin all week. Yum! I’ve really loved reading your posts!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hey Luciana! So nice to “meet” you hehe :). I’m also so excited you like the coconut banana butter! I just discovered the Ezekiel english muffins, but I never thought to try them with the cbb. What a yummy idea!

  40. katie says

    i’m happy to inform you that i was able to find some unsweetened coconut on Amazon (like you said) for a decent price!
    i can’t get enough of your coconut butter!
    but, i’ve tried making this banana butter twice now and both times it’s turned out clumpy! 🙁 help!

  41. Lexi says

    Hey there 🙂

    Question.. Do you know how long will this keep in the fridge? It sounds good, but being that it has a banana, I don’t want it to go bad before I can finish it!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      I think it will be ok a couple of days… but I like to keep mine in the freezer, where it hardens into fudge form! Then you can always thaw it or melt it. In the freezer, it keeps for at least a few weeks :).

  42. Amber Schaefer says

    I’m making coconut banana butter right now! 🙂 How did you make your sweet potato in this picture? In an oven for how long? Can you make in the microwave?

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hmmm… I always cook them differently lol. Usually I’ll microwave for like 5 minutes, then poke a few holes and roast on tin foil at like 425 until they smell delicious and look super-soft :).

      Oh, but you definitely can just use the microwave. Just poke a few holes, wrap in a few paper towels, and cook until soft… maybe 15 minutes?

  43. Livvy says

    Katie-OMG yum yum MANIA!! I’m making some of this tomorrow morning to top some oats and who knows, probably just to eat the whole batch straight up! I love your regular banana butter and coconut version…ahh Pure bliss girlie!!

  44. Michele says

    Special question! I don’t have the tools for coconut butter at the moment [vitamix, etc]. Could I use light butter? Or would that be disgusting? 😉

  45. Jo says

    Love so many of your recipes, but CANNOT do bananas! Is there anything you can think of that will work as a substitute?

    The one-serving cupcakes are wonderful for those of us who are ONE & trying not to become as big as two, or three……….lol

  46. Audrey says

    I just found your blog- and I LOVE it! I just have one request. I can’t eat bananas, so do you have any other ideas that would work as substitutes for your recipes? I haven’t yet though of anything that is like a banana!…. Thanks for all the recipes though- they really are amazing! 🙂

  47. Heather says

    Have you tried this “Vanilla-Fudge Frosting” as a cake frosting? Or do you have any frosting-alternative recipes? LOVE your blog!! Thanks!!

  48. paige says

    Hey Katie. I ws wondering if you whip this or do anything differently when using it as a frosting. Wherever I saw you use it as a frosting it looked much whiter and fluffier! Lots of lot from a HUGE fan!!!

  49. Stephanie H. says

    Hi Katie!! I just found your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin that I am absolutely making tomorrow, and I would love to put this frosting on top, but I have no Coconut butter – just oil! Would that still work???? 🙂

  50. janice' esposito says

    Recharge a fried brain by making a vegan almond joy.
    Put about 1/2 tsp of cacoa nibs on a teaspoon. Dribble a little agave on it and top it with an almond and a little bit of coconut shreds. Voila! An instant almond joy and cacoa is great for the brain and a quick energy booster .Most times you will only need one mouthful.

  51. Kristie says

    WOOOO GIRL! You’ve done it again! I’m a long time follower (lurker! 🙂 who is coming out of hiding to sing your praises for this recipe. I made your your “single serving banana bread” for my son’s first birthday (he loved it) and now I’m making him some more and will be putting this on top. DELICIOUS! I can’t stop eating it on its own. Thanks for all of your amazing recipes!

  52. Kristina says

    Where can I find coconut butter? I have looked in a number of stores and only ever seem to find coconut oil. Thanks!

  53. Alanna says

    OMG. I finally got coconut butter, and this was the first recipe I tried with it. It’s taking an inordinate amount of willpower to not run back into the kitchen and eat it all by the spoonful! Must buy sweet potatoes at the store tomorrow. This is crazy good!!

  54. Diane says

    I LOVE your recipes and your blog! Most recently, I am in Love with the spoon shown pictured with the sweet potato and coconut banana butter. Care to share where one could purchase this silverware?

  55. CC says

    I scoured the comments but do not see anyone commenting on taste that has actually made this. See… (don’t hit me) Vanilla is my FAVOURITE flavor but based on the ingredients, I’m concerned this will come out mostly banana flavoured. Does it taste more banana or more vanilla? Before I make a big ol’ batch, kinda wanna know… thanks!

  56. Jeri says

    How about biscotti – Katie style…..dipped in chocolate! Definitely ethnic and, with your Italian roots….well….my coffee is ready and waiting!

  57. marg says

    mine didnt set up right either very runny, so i added 2 cups powdered sugar and a little more vanilla. Got thicker and tested great!

  58. Alice says

    Well, you could turn into a zombie and get yourself some nice, fresh brains! 😀

    …….
    BRAINS!

      • Alice says

        I thought something like this would happen when I was typing the comment…. 🙂

        I’m going through your whole blog, so there MIGHT be comments on your older posts 😛 I’m currently on page 90, just that you’re prepared ^^

  59. Jackie says

    Whoa! This stuff is seriously good (AND seriously filling). I had it on waffles, and while it was probably a bit of a calorie splurge, it was awesome. Also, I think compared to the amount of syrup and Earth Balance I would normally use, it was a bargain in the end. It’s almost lunch time and I can’t even consider eating again. For anyone thinking of trying it, the consistency is EXACTLY like frosting. I can imagine eating this all kinds of ways.

  60. Christine Welsh says

    I need a tofu chocolate frosting recipe; I can’t find any on your website…can you send me a recipe for one please ASAP? Thank you! Love your website 🙂

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