I am absolutely perplexed by these bars. They’re pretty much everything I could ask for. Chewy (almost fudgy, I’d say) with a hint of toasty vanilla flavour and just enough chocolate so you can taste it, but it’s not the main feature. All that and they’re made without any butter or flour.
The bars are a riff on that 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe that made its way around the internet a few years ago. I added an extra egg and a lil bit of baking powder to the batter and make it less cookie-like and more blondie-like.
Back to the batter! It relies on cashew butter for fat and bulk which also lends a sweet, buttery flavour. It wouldn’t say it adds any nutty flavour, really, as I find cashew butter to be quite mild so it’s perfect as a neutral base. If you’re into that nuttier flavour though, go for roasted almond butter or peanut butter. As I’m always trying to get coconut into everything I eat, I mixed desiccated coconut into the batter AND put coconut flakes on top. It was a dreeeeaaaam!
Notes:
– to make them absolutely ‘grain free’ use 1/4 tsp of baking soda instead of the baking powder. Also, as VitaFiber is derived from corn, leave it out.
Flourless Chocolate Chunk + Coconut Blondies {Gluten Free, Grain Free + Dairy Free}
Print PinIngredients
- 250 g (1 cup) cashew butter (or almond/peanut butter for a nuttier flavour)
- 2 large , , free-range eggs
- 100 g (1/2 cup) coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 20 g (1/4 cup) unsweetened, desiccated coconut
- 50 g (2.5 oz) bittersweet chocolate (70%), broken into chunks
- Maldon salt and coconut flakes , , for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oen to 180 C (350 F). Take a roughly 10-inch square of baking paper, crumple it up then un-crumple and use it to line an 8-inch square cake tin.
- Cream together the nut butter, eggs, sugar and vitafiber in a bowl until smooth. Add the vanilla, salt, baking powder and desiccated coconut. Stir together well. Scrape into the lined pan and smooth out in an even layer. Dot with the chunks of chocolate then sprinkle with a touch of Maldon salt and some coconut flakes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. It won't look like it has browned much but, when poked, the middle should feel at bit squidgy and the edges should feel firm. Leave to cool before slicing into 16 squares.
Yum!! These blondies sound like the perfect healthy treat 🙂 I love that they’re made with two of my favorites: cashew butter and coconut sugar!
Dani | http://www.styledvariety.com
I just decided to try not to eat as many sweet things during the week and try to rely on more natural sources to get me through uni.. Ahem! Great timing lady! With my last lecture for today almost finished I think I’ll grab a banana AND a coconut blondie please 😉
I really like flourless chocolate cake and I’m sure this one tastes even better. Can’t wait to try this!
NOM GET IN MY FACE. Also I love your science-y bits. So intrigued by this vitafiber!!! Putting it on my wishlist of weird food goodies *cackle* What will you do next, Izy??! 😉
Wait, I know. I want to see your take on an aquafaba something next pleeeease?! :))
I love these. A perfect healthy treat. I need to cut down on sugar, normally I don’t eat it that much, but in the last past weeks I think I overindulged and since holidays are coming now it’s the time to be a bit more good. You are right about the mildness of the cashew butter, but since I love nuts, I’ll make these with white almond butter.
Wow, these look and sound delicious! I adore cashew butter and all the ingredients you’ve added here! These do look like a dream!
Vitafiber? Cool, love new healthy foodie products. And I’m so with you – gut bacteria influences our health in so many ways – I am way into it!
oh my gosh i’m so excited to make these!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA! xo
this sounds fantastic..after reading your experience, i have been trying to cut down on added-sugar and so far its been good.i have stayed away from candies for the most part..
I really love the symmetry of the cookie from the chunks of chocolate to the chunks of coconut and the straight cuts on the cookie itself.
Yum! These look delicious. I think I’ll make it with peanut butter and add brown sugar in stead to make more of a caramel peanut spin. If you blended cashews to make a thick paste could you possibly substitute this with the cashew butter? Thanks xx
This is truly he perfect recipe – super delicious and no gluteeeeeeennnn 🙂 Love it this recipe is a real help!!! For some really easy recipe please visit my Blog. I would really appreciate it 🙂
Love Katie
These bars look absolutely DIVINE. I’ve been meaning to try cashew butter and this recipe is just the motivation I needed to get me to the store 🙂 The chunks of chocolate and coconut make these perfection, can’t wait to be eating them!
What are the calories and macro breakdown of these per square Iz?
Not sure, sorry! You can use online calculators (like on SparkRecipes) to plug in the ingredients and get the nutritional info
My roommates were in love with these! They were absolutely divine and barely lasted a day 🙂 Thanks Izy!
These were sensational! So so good. Thanks!