Chocolate Banana Waffle Napoleon

Yesterday was my birthday (22!) and I made myself a rather lavish breakfast. I did not bake anything; no cakes, no cupcakes, nada. I know, shocker right?! It's just that I didn't want to spend my entire day in the kitchen making something extraordinary. Last year I baked 21 cupcakes for my 21st birthday and it took me 4 hours! Also, the birthday cake that I made 2 weeks ago took about 4 hours, so instead I took myself out shopping and bought a cake! I haven't bought a cake in sooo long! Every time I see a beautiful, tasty cake on display I think: "why should I buy it when I bake so much already?" So yesterday I had a good excuse for buying one, and holly jolly, I enjoyed every bite of it!!!

Anyways - let's get back to the breakfast: Chocolate Banana Waffle Napoleon. Layers of waffles, banana slices, whipped cream and melted chocolate. It really was sinfully delicious and very easy to make. I wish I could eat a breakfast like this every morning!

Chocolate Banana Waffle Napoleon recipe: adapted from Martha Stewart - Living

Ingredients: Serves 2
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- Vegetable-oil cooking spray
- 1 large banana, sliced ¼ inch thick
- ½ cup melted bittersweet chocolate (3 ounces)
- Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:
- Heat a Belgian-style waffle iron. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth. The batter will be thick.
- Spray waffle iron with cooking spray. Ladle about 1/4 cup batter into each section of the waffle grid; spread batter almost to the edges. Close lid; bake 3 minutes, until no steam emerges from waffle iron.
- Transfer cooked waffles to a baking sheet; place in an oven set to low heat, about 200 degrees, while using the remaining batter.
- Split waffles in half. Place a half on each of two plates. Spoon one-quarter of the banana slices over each waffle half. Top with whipped cream and remaining waffle halves. Spoon another one-quarter of the banana mixture over waffles. Dust each with confectioners' sugar and then drizzle with chocolate.


The messy deliciousness that was my birthday breakfast!

Close up!

Pfew! The melted chocolate made it so incredibly rich. I felt if I ate one bite more, my pants would pop.

Oh and this is a picture of my 21 cupcakes for my 21st birthday - last year. First time I used a decorating bag to pipe the frosting. Strawberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting.