Paleo banana cupcakes with chocolate icing. This gluten & dairy free cake recipe is quick & easy to make & tastes delicious.
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While I was pregnant with our first, I was part of a trying to conceive/pregnancy forum on an app.
We'd all share stories and ask questions of each other.
When it came around due date time, we eagerly awaited the arrival of each other's bubs.
When our bubba arrived, I shared my birth story.
A day or so later, I had a comment.
Keep in mind that this is an app with people from all over the world and most were from America.
Of the 13 people who commented, one wrote 'hey Claire I think we were in antenatal class together.'
Of all the people in the whole world, one of the 13 was someone I had met at our hospital antenatal class. What are the chances?
After her bub arrived a week or so later we started texting each other and have been great friends since.
We also managed to get into the same mothers' group run by Queensland Health.
We went along to 3 Tuesdays of group with 11 other wonderful mothers and the week before last, we all had to form our own group.
One lady kindly offered to host us all. She told us not to bring anything but you know me... any opportunity for baking.
It was after my first bub arrived that I started experimenting with healthier versions of sweet treats which is how I came to turn a banana cake with blueberry frosting into Paleo banana cupcakes with chocolate icing.
When I told the other mums what was in them, especially the icing, they couldn't believe it.
To be honest I couldn't believe the icing tasted so good even though I've made something similar before.
I even managed to convince myself that because it was made of just dates, avo and cacao, it was perfectly acceptable that I ate half the icing as most of my lunch the day I made them.
I'd love to say I wouldn't do something like that these days, 7 years later but that would be a big fat lie.
The original recipe was a cake not cupcakes so it can definitely be baked any way you like.
It's a moist, sweet (thanks bananas) cake and perfect for a healthy snack or even a special occasion if you want the cake to be healthy (even though it tastes like a full sugar-packed version).
I may have had 3 or was it 4 at mothers' group and taken two home for afternoon tea.
We hosted the group the following week and I got baking again.
Enjoy!
What about you?
What's the most random lunch you've ever eaten?
Recipe
Paleo banana cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 3 medium very ripe bananas
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 free-range eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 1 ¾ cup almond meal
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Icing
- 1 ripe avocado
- ½ cup medjool dates
- 2 ½ teaspoon raw cacao powder
- ¼ cup coconut milk
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C (350F) fan-forced and line a mini-muffin tin with 24 cupcake liners.
- In one bowl, mash the bananas then mix with the maple syrup, eggs, vanilla and coconut oil.
- In another bowl, stir the almond meal, coconut and cinnamon.
- Fold the dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the icing by blitzing all the ingredients together in a food processor until smooth. You may need to add a little extra coconut milk.
- Pipe or spread the icing on the cooled cupcakes.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I made something paleo tonight. I wish I could have stopped eating it. How good does that icing look too? :D
Claire says
It's hard isn't it and because it's 'healthy' I convince myself that it's ok when really it's not!
The Life of Clare says
These look amazing! I'm going to start going to mothers group soon, I hope I'm lucky enough to meet some great people!
Claire says
Fingers crossed Clare!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I really like your cupcakes and what a coincidence meeting someone you'd met at antenatal class.
I think popcorn would be the most random meal. :)
Claire says
Isn't it? Such a small world. Popcorn is a pretty delicious meal!
Hotly Spiced says
It's amazing the people you meet once you have a baby. I think it's the easiest way to make friends - you have so much in common! I love the look of your cupcakes and they're beautifully decorated xx
Claire says
It's true isn't it. I said to Will the other day it's like there's a secret club. You see another mother with a little baby and you both automatically smile at each other.
nancy says
Ohhh they look good Claire. I've made a similar icing before but I've been looking for a good paleo banana cake recipe. Will give these a go.
Claire says
Hope you like it Nancy!
Gemma says
These were super delicious! Thanks Claire! I had no idea that's how you and Shannon met! How amazing!
Claire says
Isn't it a coincidence?! Such a small world!