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Single-Serve Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin

in Breakfast, Desserts

A vegan and gluten-free Single-Serve Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin that perfectly satisfies your sweet tooth in a healthier way.

Cacao Nib Banana Bread MuffinRemember when I said that I was a big-time Tuesday hater?  I wasn’t lying.  I generally am not a fan.  But I am going to make an exception today.  This Tuesday is a bit different from the others, though.  It just so happens that my birthday falls on a Tuesday this year, and that Tuesday is today!

Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin 3In celebration of my birthday each year, I like to share something a bit sweeter than you are used to finding here on Clean Eating Veggie Girl.  What can I say… I’m a cooker not a baker, and I’ll be the first to admit it!  Last year I shared a recipe for my Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies.  And while I am definitely a cookie girl, I wanted to mix things up a bit and challenge myself for my 27th year of life.

Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin 5I accomplished two baking firsts with this Single-Serve Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin:

1. I made my first single-serve dessert recipe
2. I cooked with gluten-free flour for the first time

I am happy to report back and say that I successfully created something that actually tastes good!  Am I an expert baker?  Far from it.  But you can bet I’ll be making this one again and again… and again.

Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin 4Single-Serve Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin
Vegan + Gluten-Free
Adapted from this recipe and this recipe.

Serves 1

Ingredients

coconut oil spray
3 TB very ripe banana
1 tsp pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 TB gluten-free flour
1/2 TB almond meal
1/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/2 TB unsweetened vanilla non-dairy milk
1 TB cacao nibs + extra for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray an oven-safe ramekin with coconut oil spray.

2. In a medium bowl, mash banana with a fork.  Stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract until mixed well.

3. Add flour, almond meal, baking powder, and salt to the bowl.  Mix until well-combined.

4. Stir in milk.  Add an additional splash of milk if the batter is too thick.

5. Add cacao nibs and stir until mixed well.

6. Pour batter into the greased ramekin.  Top with a sprinkle of additional cacao nibs.

7. Bake the muffin for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick entered into the center comes out clean.

8. Remove the muffin from the oven, let cool for at least 5 minutes, remove from ramekin, and EAT it like it’s your birthday!  I definitely recommend eating this while it is still warm.

Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin 2I kept mine simple and ate it just the way it was.  However, I imagine this would be so delicious topped with peanut, almond, or cashew butter.  Everyone knows that the banana/nut butter combo AND the chocolate/nut butter combos are the best, so I am pretty much telling you that you need to add the nut butter.  I’m practically kicking myself for not having done it myself!

Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin 6Even if you still don’t like Tuesdays and today is not your birthday, I think you should treat yourself to this muffin for dessert tonight.  We all deserve to end the day on a delicious note, don’t you think?

When is your birthday?
Have you ever made any single-serve desserts?  Share your favorites in the comments below!

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{ 39 comments… add one }
  • Farrah March 24, 2015, 6:01 am
    Hooray for built-in portion control, because I am lacking in self control! :P This looks super good, and I think I actually have everything I need to make it! :] (Other than the ramekin, but maybe I can find a way around that? :x Farrah recently posted...Review: Lighten Up, Y’all & Crockpot 3-Bean Turkey ChiliMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 8:59 am
      That is what I LOVE about single-serve desserts! I think you should invest in a ramekin. They are super cheap and totally awesome for things like this :)
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies March 24, 2015, 6:45 am
    Happy birthday!!!! Desktop computers don't really have emojis, so insert the party popper emoji heeerrrreee! This muffin looks delicious! I love single serving recipes -- they regularly save me from eating whole pans of brownies, cookies, and muffins ;-) Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Banana Carrot MuffinsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 9:00 am
      Thank you, Kelly!! Seriously, these computers need to get with it and get emojis ;) And yes... single-serves are a must, especially when you are just baking for yourself like I am ;)
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine March 24, 2015, 7:55 am
    First of all this is not a dessert, but breakfast! Mug cake status for the win! And...............HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted...Dear Slow RunnersMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 9:01 am
      I would totally NOT be opposed to eating this for breakfast!!! Thanks Rebecca :)
  • Mollie @Sprinkles of Life March 24, 2015, 8:43 am
    Looks yummy!! and happy birthday! Hope it's a great day!! :) Mollie @Sprinkles of Life recently posted...Make Ahead Freezer Smoothie Packs {+ Smoothies with Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk}My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 9:01 am
      Thanks so much, Mollie! It's great so far... minus having to work ;)
  • Leah March 24, 2015, 9:01 am
    Looks delish! Happy Birthday! Leah recently posted...Tangerine Basil CocktailMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 9:05 am
      Thanks so much, Leah!!
  • Becky @ Olives n Wine March 24, 2015, 9:47 am
    Happy birthday, Hannah!!! I am totally a Tuesday hater. Seriously the worst day of the week, LOL. But since it is your birthday and these single serve treats look amazing, we can celebrate today ;) Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted...#80 Treat Yourself TuesdayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 11:41 am
      YES! Finally a good reason to love Tuesday ;) Thanks Becky!!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul March 24, 2015, 9:58 am
    Haaaapppy Birthday!!!!! This looks SO good!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 11:42 am
      Thank you, Erin!! :D
  • Dana | fresh simple five March 24, 2015, 10:23 am
    Happy Birthday!!! These looks so tasty! I really need to make more single serving desserts. I don't bake very much because I'd eat way more than necessary. :) Hope you enjoy your day. Dana | fresh simple five recently posted...Friday FiveMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 11:44 am
      That is EXACTLY why I don't bake much either!! I think I am now going to majorly be on the single-serve dessert bandwagon. They are the perfect way to have something sweet and slightly more indulgent without eating a whole batch by yourself ;)
  • Tianna March 24, 2015, 11:34 am
    looks delicious! thanks for sharing this one!! Tianna recently posted...The Blogging Elite: $180 Amazon Gift Card GiveawayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 11:44 am
      Thanks so much, Tianna! I hope you give it a try!
  • Alissa Apel March 24, 2015, 12:47 pm
    This does look really good! I love chocolate! Anything with it in it I'm all about. Alissa Apel recently posted...Playing a Trick on MicaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 12:59 pm
      You and me both!! Chocolate makes everything better, right?
  • Joanna @Makingmine March 24, 2015, 2:47 pm
    And you say you're not a baker… yeah right, haha! This looks amazing! I may have to celebrate your birthday today too :) Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...weekend snaps: happy daysMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 3:43 pm
      Ohhh trust me, I am not a baker when I compare myself to what you whip up!! ;)
  • Miss Polkadot March 24, 2015, 5:35 pm
    Today IS a good Tuesday for the very reason it's your special one. Happy birthday, Hannah! I hope the sun gave its best to make your day even better. Oddly enough, I'm neither a cake nor cookie girl but a fierce chocolate fiend. However, single-serving cakes that look as dense and non-cakey/fluffy [in the very best way] like this one are an exception. It's a pity I threw out the last remainder of almond meal I had today while cleaning out my cupboards. Bugs ... Miss Polkadot recently posted...Good good links #83My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 24, 2015, 5:45 pm
      Yes, this is definitely more dense than a cake... much more muffin like and super delicious! You'll have to get yourself some more almond meal and make it! I always keep mine in the fridge to help keep those critters out!
  • Linz @ Itz Linz March 24, 2015, 7:49 pm
    i haven't found a single serve thing that i've loved yet - pinned yours to try later!!! happy birthday!! xo Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted...Arizona funMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 25, 2015, 10:10 am
      Thanks Linz! I hope you enjoy it :)
  • Cathy March 24, 2015, 9:51 pm
    Wishing you a Very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! A little late, but it's the thought that counts - RIGHT??? Keep up the great work on your recipes - love them.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 25, 2015, 10:11 am
      Thanks so much, Cathy!! That means a lot :)
  • Ariana March 24, 2015, 9:54 pm
    Happy Birthday!!! What a delicious way to celebrate :D Ariana recently posted...How to Create a Workout ScheduleMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 25, 2015, 10:13 am
      The only way to celebrate is with good food and people, right? ;)
  • Gretchen Garrison March 25, 2015, 6:45 am
    This is a really fun recipe. Could you use regular flour instead? And, happy birthday! What a fun way to celebrate? Gretchen Garrison recently posted...3-25-15 Wordless Wednesday: Where Were We (in Nebraska)?My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 25, 2015, 10:14 am
      Hi Gretchen! Honestly... I'm not sure. I'm not much of a baker and I am VERY new to gluten-free baking. I would think that regular all purpose flour would be fine, but I make no promises. Let me know if you try it!
  • Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl March 29, 2015, 1:28 pm
    Looks SO good...I'll have to experiment with a GF, tree-nut-free version though! I can have dairy and eggs, so I usually don't go all the way vegan with my own recipes - and then I see ones like this and try to figure out how to make such pretty, tasty things that are EVERYTHING-free :) Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted...Sunday Run n’ Brunch FunMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl March 31, 2015, 3:49 pm
      Let me know how your experimentation goes! That is the fun thing about single-serve recipes. If you mess up, you can start over a lot more easily! :)

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