Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Heavenly Healthy Vanilla Blondies


Some blondies weigh you down, you know?  The fat.  The cup after cup of sugar.  But not these.  These blondies are better than that.

I could tell you what I think about them.  I could tell you how addictive they are, and how guilt-free you should feel eating them (at least relatively speaking).  I could get into my many thoughts on that subject.

But maybe it would be more compelling for you to hear a sampling of adjectives from the many people in my life who had a chance to try these:  Amazing.  Awesome.  Delicious.  Addictive.  Wonderful.  Something you definitely should make again.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. 

These use a can of chickpeas as their base, but don't worry about it tasting beany.  It really doesn't.  I will warn you that an ever-so-slightly bitter aftertaste may linger on your tongue, but I barely noticed it, and others didn't notice it at all.  The vanilla really knocks the bean taste out of the picture in these.  I ate several warm from the oven and had to force myself to walk away.  I brought them all to work the next day just to avoid eating the rest of them all by myself.

So don't be afraid of the beans - embrace the beans.  The short story is, these are divine.  And blissful.  And light.



Heavenly Healthy Vanilla Blondies
Makes one 9x13  pan

1 can chickpeas
2 1/2 tbsp. peanut butter or Sunbutter (or you can substitute another nut butter)
2 tbsp. Marshmallow Fluff
1/4 cup applesauce
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1/3 cup sorghum flour
1/3 cup tapioca starch
1/3 cup potato starch
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine the flours together with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a food processor, combine the rest of the ingredients and blend until very smooth.  Add the flour mixture and continue to pulse until smooth.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.  Spread evenly into the pan and bake at 350 F for 30 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

These are fabulous right from the oven but become even more moist and lovely after sitting overnight.

2 comments:

Elina (Healthy and Sane) said...

These do look super light and moist. I'm all for the beans. :)

Claire Berman said...

Elina - I know, the beans are a recent discovery for me as well, and I'm loving the process of experimenting with them in desserts. If you try these, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! :)