[ Clean Chocolate Cupcakes ]

Cooking time: 15 – 18 minutes

Makes 12 mini muffins or 6 regular ones

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Ingredients:
1 medium sized very ripe peeled bananas
1 whole medium apple, peeled, cored and chopped
5 – 6 dates
2 large eggs
1 cup almond butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 Tsp. baking soda
1 Tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
Cupcake liners

Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Place all ingredients in your blender. Blend on high for approx. 2 minutes to form a nice batter.

Fill your cupcake liners 3/4 full.

Place in the oven and bake for 15 – 18 minutes. (Check after 15 minutes. The tops should be firmer to the touch, puffed up similar to a soufflé. They may need 18 minutes.)

Let cool on a wire rack.

[ More Whole 30-ish Muffins. ]

Grain, Dairy, & Sugar Free Banana Muffins:

Yields 1 dozen muffins

3 very ripe bananas
~1/3 cup almond butter (approximate – I used 2 big spoonfuls)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups almond flour/meal
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. shredded coconut (optional, but delicious!)
Coconut oil to grease your muffin tin

1. Begin by mixing your bananas, almond butter, and eggs.
2. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and shredded coconut.
3. Add dry ingredients into your banana mixture and mix until combined.
4. Grease your muffin tins and fill with 2/3 full with batter.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375 degrees or until toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool completely before storing.

[ Whole 30 Banana Muffins. ]

These were a game-changer for me during my Whole30.  By day 16 I was craving a "bread-like" texture.  These gave it to me - and as my palette adjusted to the unsweetened taste, I've grown to love them even more.  After my Whole30, I intend on keeping these around, but adding the luxury of honey ... mmmmmmm.

Whole 30 Banana Muffins.

Ingredients:

1 cup almond butter
2 ripe bananas
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Directions: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
3. Grease muffin tin (I use coconut oil)
4. Pour batter into muffin tins (I use mini muffin tins - makes about 24)
5. Cook for 12 minutes (muffins should be fluffy all of the way through and should not sink or settle)

* some variations add 2tbsp of honey to the mix.   To keep it Whole 30, I did not.

** I added 2 tbsp cacao powder and a sprinkling of cacao chips for an added change.  this does NOT make it sweeter as there is no sugar in either ingredients.  there is an added health benefit tho.