PB Chocolate-Chunk Blondies
These bars are just as rich and tender as the traditional version but without the deluge of butter, white flour and brown sugar. Each serving has about 100 fewer calories and half the sugar as regular blondies.
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Chickpeas replace flour in this recipe, adding protein and fiber for greater staying power and muscle-building potential. Peanut butter adds a hearty dose of niacin, which is essential to power hundreds of metabolic reactions, including energy production.
Ingredients
- ½ cup pitted dates
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 (14 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp allspice powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Preparation
- Soak dates in water 20 minutes. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and preheat oven to 350°F.
- Add dates (and water), egg, maple syrup, chickpeas, peanut butter, vanilla, allspice, baking powder, baking soda and salt to a blender or food processor container and blend until nearly smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop into prepared pan and spread out with a spatula. Sprinkle with coconut.
- Bake 25 minutes, or until edges begin to brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature, then slice into squares. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1 bar
- Calories 237
- Carbohydrate Content 28 g
- Fat Content 14 g
- Fiber Content 4 g
- Protein Content 6 g
- Sodium Content 160 mg
- Sugar Content 18 g