Gluten Free Vegan Protein Rich Chocolate Chip Blondies

        Do you have a sweet tooth? I do!  In fact, I would gladly skip any meal just to have dessert.  

     Since I decided to make our family's meals and treats a lot healthier this new year, I'm now focused on creating recipes that are sneakily filled with good for you ingredients.  To get the ball rolling, I am sharing with you this very easy recipe for our favorite Chocolate Chip Blondies.  

        Unlike the traditional ones, these blondies don't contain any butter or shortening, eggs or even gluten.  The beans make it creamy and delectable.  Flax seeds not only binds it together, it also provides Omega 3's and fiber.  Speaking for fiber, have you heard of Tigernuts?  Tigernuts, contrary to its name is not a nut but a small root vegetable native to Africa.  It is the #1 source of Resistant Starch, a Prebiotic fiber that resists human digestion and becomes fuel for our bodies natural Probiotic bacteria.   The flour I used in this recipe is made with Tigernuts which has a sweet and nutty flavor. 

          Are the ingredients making you scared?  Don't be!  These have been used by people outside the US for ages.  Plus the end result is surprisingly divine.  Just ask my four tough critics.  The best part is that, I don't have to be guilty about having a piece or two.  Oh, and these are also great for the kids' lunch box dessert.  

            Ready to try something new?  Then give these blondies are try.  Don't forget to let me know how it turned out too. 

             Have a great week!

- Roz

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed well
1 cup organic raw cane sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. flax meal (ground flax seed)
6 Tbs. lukewarm water
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. Himalayan Pink Sea Salt (coarse ground)
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup Organic Gemini TigerNut Flour
3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels  )

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper.
3. Make a flax goo by combining water and flax meal. Set aside for at least 5 minutes before using.
4. In a blender or food processor, add the beans, sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder, oil, nutmeg and flax goo.  Blend or process until smooth.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.  Top with chocolate chips.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the sea salt on top.
8. Let the blondies cool in the pan before slicing.
9. Enjoy!

(Note:  This post contains affiliate links for the ingredients I used in this recipe. Please see my full disclosure here.)