RECIPE: GF Salted Vanilla Maple Blondies

MAKES 12 BARS
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 35 minutes

• 1 1⁄2 cups oat flour (certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 1⁄4 cup sweet white rice flour
• 1⁄4 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 2 tablespoons tapioca powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup cashew butter 
• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 1⁄2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Scrapings from inside 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Flaked sea salt
• Optional: 1⁄2 cup vegan chocolate chips (see Variation below)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 × 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Let some hang over the edges, to make it easy to remove the blondies from the pan.

2. Whisk together the oat flour, rice flour, coconut sugar, tapioca powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Use a hand mixer to mix together the cashew butter, maple syrup, applesauce, and coconut oil in a large bowl. Stir in the vinegar, vanilla bean scrapings, and vanilla extract. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and lightly sprinkle sea salt flakes over the top.

4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.

5. Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift the blondie out of the baking dish. Slice into 12 pieces. You can store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature, but they’ll hold their moisture longer when refrigerated. They’ll keep for 3 to 4 days.

VARIATION: I’m sure I don’t need to tell all you crazy chocoholics out there that these blondies are just begging for chocolate chips. If desired, fold 1⁄2 cup vegan chocolate chips into the batter before transferring to the baking dish.

For 29 more nutrient-packed, SUPERFOOD plant-based recipes…

More delish desserts like Pumpkin Chai Scones… Or Strawberry-Peach Crisp With Vanilla Whipped “Cream”…

Or how about some main entre delights like Roasted Carrot & Wild Mushroom Ragout… 

Sweet Potato Shephard’s Pie…  Lasagna Soup…  Or  Cauliflower Parmigiana!? 

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