Tranform America's favorite fruit into a special tropical breakfast treat good enough to serve as dessert. A crunchy caramelized topping covers layers of chocolate cream cheese and bananas.

Sweet Banana Bruschetta

6 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick slices sweet Hawaiian bread, egg bread, or raisin bread
1 medium banana, mashed (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup tub cream cheese with pineapple
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 medium bananas, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Sifted powdered sugar (optional)
Chocolate curls (optional)

1. Toast bread and let cool. Combine mashed banana, cream cheese, and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Spread some of the mixture over each toasted bread slice. Place slices on a cookie sheet. Layer banana slices on top of cream cheese mixture. Brush bananas with melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
2. Broil bruschetta 4 to 5-inches from the heat for 30 to 60 seconds or until banana slices just begin to glaze.
3. To serve, sprinkle tops with sifted powdered sugar and garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 bruschetta.

Nutritional facts per serving: calories: 297, total fat: 8g, saturated fat: 3g, sodium: 196mg, carbohydrate: 52g, fiber: 3g, protein: 7g, vitamin C: 11%, calcium: 4%, iron: 10%, starch: 1.5diabetic exchange, fruit: 2diabetic exchange, fat: 1diabetic exchange

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