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Taking The Stress Out Of Gluten-Free Grain-Free & Dairy-Free Living
Frosted Banana Love Bites
Our son came over the other day to help me go through some storage things in our basement and re-organize. He was a HUGE help. I don’t mind admitting that at 43, I really no longer have some of the oomph I used to that’s needed to haul huge boxes up and down the stairs and load the car for dump runs. He ran up and down the stairs for me, loaded about 200 pounds of old paint cans in the car, made runs to the dump and Goodwill, and helped me lift and move things that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. By the way, he’s almost 20 years old and 6 feet tall, so not a little boy anymore. Enter big sigh here. I’m loving the man he’s becoming but I sure miss the little boy he used to be!
While we were digging around under the stairs we ran across a storage box full of items that he’s given me over the years. What memories! It was so much fun looking through everything. It’s a good thing he was here with me, otherwise I probably would have bawled through the whole thing. Moms are weird like that. But with him here to go through it with me, we were able to talk and reminisce about some of the items. Wonderful, wonderful, memories that I will cherish forever. Among the paintings, art projects made with Fimo clay, water colors, chalk drawings, school binder projects, funny and original stories written in his young little hand, were some other very special items to me.
Heart rocks that he would find and give to me when we traveled or when he and my husband were on their boy’s get aways. I was always amazed when he could find rocks shaped like a heart. When he would present them to me it would melt my heart and I would kiss him all over his sweet, soft, cheeks. He even wrote “I Love You” on one of them in pencil that is still there after all of these years!
We dug deeper and then I ran across a chain filled with dime machine rings. Twelve in all. When he would go to the grocery store with me or run errands with my husband he would often buy one for me. The crucifix chain they’re hanging on was also a dime machine find that he found for me. Finding that was one of those moments where you just have to clutch it to your heart, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Such wonderful memories that on one hand seem like yesterday and on another hand when you look at your grown child, seem like a lifetime ago.
How blessed am I to have such wonderful memories of a little boy with a huge heart for his momma and now, a young man who is so helpful?!
I had a bit of time to burn in the morning before he arrived so I thought I would make a little treat for us. Quick and easy and the only thing better than banana bread slathered in butter is FROSTED banana bread. Banana bread made into cute little cakes is even better.
Frosted Banana Love Bites
Pre-heat oven to 325° and oil 2 non-stick mini bundt pans, set aside.
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
3 Very Ripe Bananas
1 3/4 Cups Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose GF Baking Flour
In a mixer, add the oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and bananas. Mix on medium until ingredients are combined and bananas are broken up, about 30 seconds. Turn mixer off, scrape down sides, and add flour and xanthan gum. Mix on stir setting until combined. About 40 seconds. Spoon into prepared bundt pans. I filled them about 3/4 full. It made about 14 miniature bundt cakes.
Bake in preheated oven for about 12 minutes. Do not overcook as banana bread dries out very easily. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.
Cinnamon Sugar Drizzle
About 1/4 Cup Dairy Free Butter
About 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
About 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
About 1 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract
Almond Milk
Melt the butter in the microwave. Add sugar, cinnamon, and almond extract. Stir to combine. Thin with almond milk to create a thick drizzling consistency. Whisk to remove any lumps. Drizzle over cakes and allow to set.
23 Comments on “Frosted Banana Love Bites”
Leave a reply to Purely.. Kay Cancel reply
gluten free zen 
I’m sure he turned out exactly the way he did because you were the best mom ever.. I love his gifts to you.. he’s a very sweet and thoughtful young man! And.. adorable little cakes too!!
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Thank you! I’m sure I was NOT the best mom ever, but he certainly never suffered from a lack of love. 🙂
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I love little cakes… they are so cute and lovely. I love the heart-shape rocks that he gave to you. I found one several years back when I was on a trip and I gave it to my mom too!
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See? Those heart rocks appear for us for a reason! I better your mom was just as happy to receive it as I was to receive mine. 🙂
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❤ I can only hope my little guy remains as sweet as he is now. Sons are wonderful things. Love the little cakes.
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People will try to have you believe that boys are simple and girls are multifaceted, but I have found that boys can be just as complex. It will ebb and flow, but cherish every single minute. I know we’ve all heard it so many times before, but it just speeds right by and before you know it, they’re all grown up!
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This is a great one honey. I love you.
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Thanks honey, love you too! 🙂
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Good thing your son was there to help. Had you been alone when you came upon the box of his gifts, I doubt if you would have gotten much more done that day. 🙂
These mini-cakes sound delicious, made even more so by that icing. YUM!
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Thanks John! 🙂
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Awww.. I just love these little frosted love bites. The name is just so cute and fits this beautiful dessert for any time of the day 🙂
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I love the look of your very pretty cakes but nothing will eclipse your wonderful son. I have a 19 year old boy too! What a treasure your boy is to help you like that and by the sounds of things, he’s been wonderful all his life. Great that you kept all those wonderful things he gave you like the heart-shaped rocks and the little rings – how precious is he! He will make a great husband one day! xx
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He is quite helpful and has been a pretty good kid! No major issues while he was growing up which is always a relief. I am thankful that I kept all of those things too. Such good memories!
I think he’ll make a wonderful husband too! But I am his mother and a little on the biased side…ha! 🙂
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Wow! Those look delicious. Do you know what may I use as a substitute for Xanthan Gum? Because I don’t think I’m going to be able to find it here in Madrid…
Your son is very handsome, congratulations 😉 !
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It looks as though chia seeds and flax might work. Here is a link I found. http://glutenfreegirl.com/chia-seeds-and-flaxseeds/
If you’re not gluten free you could also certainly just make them with a “normal” banana bread recipe. 🙂
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You brought tears to my eyes!! There is something so precious about little boys and their love for their mother. I’m going through my stuff now for the move and finding all my son’s little notes and pictures. I can’t throw out anything that came from my kids. My son too is older now, 19 and while I love him as he is, my heart still longs for that little boy and his litle hand in mine! I think I’m going to have to treat my son to this recipe…once I get settled!
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Sigh. What a lovely post. AND, holy crow, those love bites look good!
That is all.
xox
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Thanks! 🙂
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Awww April, my heart was melting as I was reading your post! My son is 18 and just a sweetheart too! Beautiful little cakes to celebrate your love! ❤
Sibella
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Thanks! Yep, he’s our one and only. Love him so much! 🙂
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What a beautiful post…I got all teary eyed. I have a very helpful/loving little girl and loved your pictures of your son then and now. Great recipe too!
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Thank you Julie, and thank you for stopping by! 🙂
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