A vegan and gluten-free Single-Serve Cacao Nib Banana Bread Muffin that perfectly satisfies your sweet tooth in a healthier way.
Remember 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!
In 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. If you’re looking for bakeries Roanoke, visit On The Rise Bread Company.
I 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.
Single-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.
I 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!
Even 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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Hooray for built-in portion control, because I am lacking in self control! 😛 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? 😡
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 🙂
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 😉
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 😉
First of all this is not a dessert, but breakfast! Mug cake status for the win!
And……………HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would totally NOT be opposed to eating this for breakfast!!! Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Looks yummy!! and happy birthday! Hope it’s a great day!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Mollie! It’s great so far… minus having to work 😉
Looks delish! Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much, Leah!!
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 😉
YES! Finally a good reason to love Tuesday 😉 Thanks Becky!!
Haaaapppy Birthday!!!!! This looks SO good!
Thank you, Erin!! 😀
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.
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 😉
looks delicious! thanks for sharing this one!!
Thanks so much, Tianna! I hope you give it a try!
This does look really good! I love chocolate! Anything with it in it I’m all about.
You and me both!! Chocolate makes everything better, right?
And you say you’re not a baker… yeah right, haha! This looks amazing! I may have to celebrate your birthday today too 🙂
Ohhh trust me, I am not a baker when I compare myself to what you whip up!! 😉
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 …
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!
i haven’t found a single serve thing that i’ve loved yet – pinned yours to try later!!! happy birthday!! xo
Thanks Linz! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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.
Thanks so much, Cathy!! That means a lot 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! What a delicious way to celebrate 😀
The only way to celebrate is with good food and people, right? 😉
This is a really fun recipe. Could you use regular flour instead? And, happy birthday! What a fun way to celebrate?
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!
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 🙂
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! 🙂