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Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups {Vegan}

by Lindsay Cotter Ā· 03/20/2018

Vegan
Jump to Recipe
★★★★★ 4.4 from 7 reviews
Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups. EASY Dark chocolate almond butter cups with caramelized bananas in the middle and sliced on top.
Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups. EASY Dark chocolate almond butter cups with caramelized bananas in the middle and sliced on top.

EASY Dark chocolate almond butter cups with caramelized bananas in the middle and sliced on top. Yep, this chocolate banana dessert cup recipe is for real and it’s also refined sugar free and vegan friendly. All you need are a few simple real food ingredients and love for all things chocolate almond butter.

A healthy(ish) CHOCOLATE BANANA dessert on steroids. Whoops! These Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups were a total accident. I don’t even know how they happened, wait…. yes I do. More on that below. But let’s be honest, sometimes those accidental recipes make for the best recipes to share. Yes, I know. I just posted a Spring Clean Eating gluten free meal plan, but would you believe me if I told you these chocolate almond butter cups were as about as “clean” as you could get when it comes to dessert? Well, you should. I’m not forcing chocolate banana dessert cups upon you if you are prepping for the clean eating meal plan, but I am FORCING you to save this recipe for future.Ā  Heck you could make them now, freeze them, and then place in fridge for Easter weekend. Ya, that’s what you should. Genius move!

 

caramalized banana vegan almond butter cups paleo-vegan-4

Alright, so let’s talk about how these scrumptious lil vegan almond butter cups came about.

You see, I had this plan to make some sort of frozen banana chocolate peanut butter bites for March. You know, the no bake bite kind I always post. But then it happened. I got everything prepped in the kitchen and realized these were way too plain Jane for my liking. Nothing wrong with plain Jane, it just didn’t feel right to me. This crazy Cotter likes the extra flavor pizazz!Ā  Yep, this happens to me a lot. I try think of a recipe, go to test the recipe, and then feel …… meh. Then I get back in the kitchen and start over.

Which is exactly what happened here.

Next idea. Hmmm.. How about a banana’s foster or vegan caramelized banana peanut butter cookie bites recipe. Ohh that sounds good.

Test test. Good stuff but not feeling the whole no bake bite thing this month. Shocking, I know!

Which leads me to my third idea that happened on accident. Happy accident.

Caramelized banana, meet your long lost soul mate dark chocolate almond butter cups. Together you will marry and be showered with extra dark chocolate shavings and sea salt.

You will also be filled with the caramelized banana slices and then frozen in time so can savor you forever.

caramelized banana chocolate cups

vegan caramelized bananas

You see what I mean? The marriage of two recipes created one happy chocolate almond butter cups accident. BLISS!

Paleo…ish. Vegan friendly. No refined sugars. TOTALLY ADDICTING. Trust me, I had to give almost all of them away before I devoured.

I recommend you master self-discipline and constraintĀ before making these. Just sayin. One bite and you’re totally hooked.

If you do decide to take up my chocolate almond butter cups self restraint challenge, there are two ways you can practice. Meaning, two ways to layer the ingredients for two totally different craving. Chocolatey banana or Banana peanut buttery (almond buttery)!

One, you melt the dark chocolate and fill the cup to create and outer layer, add banana and almond butter inside, then more chocolate, sea salt, and caramelized banana topping.

Or … second option.

Melt and layer the Almond butter first, freeze, then a swirl of chocolate, caramelized banana, and them more chocolate banana to top.

Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups.

Either way, you will have amazingness and you can you use all the same ingredients!

Here’s what you need to break the rules and make CARAMELIZED BANANA CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER CUPS.

Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups ingredients

Simple Healthy REAL FOOD Ingredients:

  • coconut oil or vegan butter
  • dark chocolate for melting and shavings to top
  • almond butter
  • coconut sugar
  • bananas
  • sea salt
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caramalized banana vegan almond butter cups on silver backdrop

Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups {Vegan}


★★★★★

4.4 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 45
  • Yield: 6 to 7 large cups or 10-12 small 1x
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Description

Caramelized Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Cups. Vegan and Paleo Friendly!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Caramelized Bananas

  • 2 small bananas, sliced thin or in half (slice 1/2 banana in circle slices for topping).
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp naturally refined coconut oil or soy-free vegan butter (clarified butter can be used for non vegan)
  • 1 tbsp hot water

For muffin pan lined with thin muffin cup liners:

  • 1/2 – 2/3 cup dark chocolate for melting. Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate is great for vegan option.
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil, divided.
  • Optional 1/2 tsp vanilla extract mixed in chocolate if desired
  • 1/2 cup creamy almond butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free version (no stir)
  • Sea salt and dark chocolate shavings to sprinkle

Instructions

For the caramelized bananas:

  1. Melt coconut oil or vegan butter in large frying pan. Add coconut sugar; cook, stirring, until sugar and butter are melted together and somewhat dissolved.
  2. Add sliced bananas and 1 tbsp water; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes or until banana slices coated and caramelized.
  3. Set aside, let cool, then slice again into dice size pieces.

For the chocolate almond butter cups:

  1. First melt 1/3 cup dark chocolate with 1/2 tbsp coconut oil in microwave in 30 second increments, mixing between until melted.
  2. Pour into muffin pan lined with thin muffin cup liners. (See notes for almond butter swirl option).
  3. Place melted chocolate in Freezer for 10 minutes to set.
  4. While the chocolate is setting, melt almond butter with 1/2 tbsp coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second increments, mixing between until melted. *Note* You can melt both chocolate and almond on stove top (separately) with oil if you don’t have microwave.
  5. Spoon the almond butter on top of the frozen chocolate lined cups. Add thick slice of caramelized banana (about the size of dice).
  6. Place in Freezer for 10 minutes to set.
  7. While the chocolate, almond butter, banana cups are freezing, melt remainder 1/3 – 1/2 cup chocolate with 1/2 tbsp oil. Pour the remainder of the dark chocolate over cups to fill.
  8. TopĀ  each up with remaining caramelized banana slices. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings and sea salt.
  9. Freeze 20 minutes until set. Then let them sit out for 5 mins before serving from freezer. Or keep in fridge and serve anytime! See notes for storing.

 

Notes

If you prefer more almond butter flavor, melt the almond butter first and place it on the bottom layer, then the chocolate banana, then the almond butter again to top. You might need more almond butter for this. This is the opposite of the chocolate/ almond butter layers noted again. See pictures for reference.

Store the almond butter cups in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for up to 10 days.

You can use mini cups as well just make sure the bananas are cut smaller to fit. This will make 11-12 mini cups or 6-7 large cups.

Estimated nutrition shown below is per 1 large almond butter cup

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 3
  • Category: dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece
  • Calories: 173
  • Sugar: 10.5g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 10.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 15.5g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 1mg

Keywords: chocolate almond butter cups, gluten free, paleo, vegan

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cottercrunch on Instagram and hashtag it #cottercrunch

Ready to dive in? I dare you. Gasp!

EASY Dark chocolate almond butter cups with caramelized bananas in the middle and sliced on top. .

What’s one of your favorite chocolate banana desserts you’re wanting to make healthier? I’m up for the challenge. In the meantime, let’s all drool over this combo. Mmm k?

Cheers friends!

p.s don’t judge me if I post another “clean-ish” Easter dessert soon. Although, I will try to space it out with a mega healthy veggies side dish.

Lindsay Cotter - Cotter Crunch


MORE EASY GLUTEN FREE EASTER RECIPES HERE!

This recipe is part ofĀ our Easy Gluten Free Easter Recipes collection. Check it out!

Ā 
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Categories: Desserts, Grain Free, Vegan Tags: chocolate, desserts, paleo, vegan

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Tiffany Brooks says

    02/06/2020 at 6:38 PM

    Easy and delicious! I added a little bit of brown sugar and chopped almonds.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      02/06/2020 at 7:13 PM

      Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. alok mishra says

    05/31/2018 at 3:56 PM

    Superb recipe to give a try. Thanks

    Reply
  3. GiGi Eats says

    03/29/2018 at 12:20 PM

    Holy shit! You always seem to ONE UP yourself every time you post new content! LMFAO! This recipe is seriously SEXY AF!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Ellen L says

    03/24/2018 at 5:30 PM

    I made these today! Delicious! I suggest letting them sit out for 5 mins before serving. I think that if you are making the batch of 11-12, that you use a medium or small sauce pan to caramelize the bananas. A large one was just too big. I had crunchy almond butter (didn’t make my own this time) and I really liked having a bit of almond crunch. These are great, easy to make, and very satisfying. I can serve these to my gf, df, and vegan friends! Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      03/24/2018 at 7:32 PM

      Thank you for the feedback! I will for sure update my notes. I am so so glad you enjoyed them Ellen!

      Reply
  5. Gaby Dalkin says

    03/22/2018 at 9:03 PM

    HOLY YUM!!! These look incredible!

    Reply
  6. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says

    03/21/2018 at 8:30 PM

    I love making vegan desserts. These look wonderful! šŸ™‚

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      03/21/2018 at 10:32 PM

      You’d love these friend!

      Reply
  7. Tracey @ Eat. Love. Namaste. says

    03/21/2018 at 5:31 PM

    Ahh, these are not a 1 star! These are a 5/5!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      03/21/2018 at 10:23 PM

      oh thank you tracey! <3 that means a lot!

      Reply
  8. Tracey @ Eat. Love. Namaste. says

    03/21/2018 at 5:29 PM

    Oh. My. Word. These look addicting. I love how you added a caramelized banana in these almond butter cups!

    ★

    Reply
  9. Jess @choosingchia says

    03/21/2018 at 3:13 PM

    These sound so yummy with caramelized bananas! I make bananas like this sometimes to put on oatmeal, but they must be so delicious in here!

    Reply
  10. Maria says

    03/21/2018 at 2:19 PM

    I need these in my life!

    Reply
  11. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    03/21/2018 at 1:09 PM

    Oh my! Caramelized bananas are the best! And I bet they totally jazz up these cups! Totes worthy of Easter!

    Reply
  12. Lexi says

    03/21/2018 at 12:31 PM

    These are SO epic!!! Caramelized bananas are EVERYTHING.

    Reply
  13. Tieghan Gerard says

    03/21/2018 at 12:07 PM

    Accidental recipes are the best!! These seriously look so delicious.. I’m craving one!

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Farley says

    03/21/2018 at 11:02 AM

    These are incredible!

    Reply
  15. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    03/21/2018 at 9:34 AM

    What a great idea for a healthy treat!

    Reply
  16. Matt Robinson says

    03/21/2018 at 12:40 AM

    You are so incredibly talented, especially when it comes to making healthy food look amazing

    Reply
  17. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    03/20/2018 at 11:42 PM

    I love these chocolate-almond-butter-cups!!!

    Reply
  18. Cassie Thuvan Tran says

    03/20/2018 at 11:23 PM

    Yes, caramelized bananas were the perfect pizzazz for this recipe! Definitely agree that the caramelization just takes this recipe from a 6 or 7 to an 11 for sure! The almond butter is absolutely brilliant with the chocolate and banana. In all, presentation is gorgeous, and I bet taste is even better!

    Reply
  19. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    03/20/2018 at 11:02 PM

    Elvis and I will take 5 batches, please.

    This is my dream combo. Seriously.

    Reply
  20. Katie @ 24 Carrot Life says

    03/20/2018 at 7:44 PM

    This is such a creative take on a chocolate/nut butter cup that I haven’t seen before. Definitely want to make this!

    Reply
  21. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

    03/20/2018 at 6:41 PM

    Heavenly!

    Reply
  22. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    03/20/2018 at 6:18 PM

    I could most definitely get addicted to these!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  23. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says

    03/20/2018 at 3:06 PM

    You are speaking my love language.

    Reply
  24. Natalie says

    03/20/2018 at 5:25 AM

    These chocolate cups look absolutely delicious! I love the combination of chocolate, caramelized bananas and almond butter – sounds divine! I also love that it’s gluten free so it’s a great idea for Passover as well.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      03/20/2018 at 9:49 AM

      OMG they are so addicting. But filling. I think the banana helps reduce the heaviness of a regular chocolate pb cup, ya know?

      Reply

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

About Ā· Studio Ā· Shop Ā· Contact
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