How are you coping with the lack of normalcy as of late? My job is technically considered essential, and my husband is a firefighter so his job is definitely essential. So our work lives haven't changed much. But its weird not having the option to go out to eat. And to constantly think about not being too close to people. And to not be able to see friends. So, I've been filling my bit of extra time with things that I love. I've been recreating my favorite meals from restaurants I miss eating at, spending a lot of time outside, and I've been doing a LOT of baking. And whenever I ask my husband what he wants me to bake he says the same thing: anything with peanut butter. So, today I made these chewy + delicious Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blondies.
These blondies are made with basic pantry ingredients that you likely have on hand right now. Which is a major score because most of us can't run to the store to pick up one item we are missing. But, you can feel free to substitute a few things in this recipe to fit what you do have on hand:
Peanut Butter
If you are using peanut butter in this recipe, use a natural peanut butter. My favorite brands are Teddie and Smuckers. BUT if you don't like peanut butter, or don't have any, any natural nut butter will work well here. Almond or cashew or if you are allergic, sunflower seed butter! Just make sure they are the natural variety that occasionally needs a stir.
Flax Egg
I always keep flax on hand. Both ground and whole flax seeds. I keep them in my refrigerator so they will stay fresh for a long time. But, if you don't have ground flax on hand, chia seed will work too. Just grind some chia seeds in a blender and use the same amount as the flax in this recipe.
Molasses
In some parts of the country, sorghum syrup is more common than molasses and that is a great substitute. But if you have neither, just sub the sugar and molasses for brown sugar! I don't buy brown sugar because its simply white sugar with molasses mixed back in. And it gets rock hard if you don't use it quickly enough. Thats why all of my recipes that would commonly call for brown sugar just use white sugar and molasses. But if you do buy brown sugar and not molasses, use it here!
Chocolate Chunks
I always have a variety of chocolate chips + chunks on hand for baking. I prefer different shapes and sizes for different things. I thought chunks made sense here, but substitute any chips you have or even chop up a bittersweet baking chocolate bar and toss that in! Or peanut butter chips, or a combination of anything you have on hand. I used Enjoy Life Mega Chunks!
9x9 Baking Pan
If you have an 8x8 that will still work, but you will need to adjust the baking time. It will likely take closer to 40-45 minutes.
These blondies come out soft and chewy, filled with plenty of chocolate and a BIG hit of peanut butter flavor. They aren't crumbly like gluten-free items can sometimes be. They are sturdy, yet soft as a blondie is supposed to be. So if you need a baking project to lift your spirits, use your pantry to make these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blondies.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blondies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
- ¾ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Molasses
- 2 tablespoon Ground Flax
- ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk I used oat milk, but any milk will work
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ¼ Cups Homemade Oat Flour See note
- 1 ½ tsp Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ Cups Chocolate Chunks I used Enjoy Life Mega Chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350*. Prepare a 9x9 baking pan with pan spray. I also used a parchment sling for easy removal for cutting, but its not absolutely necessary.
- In a large bowl, combine the flax and non dairy milk. Stir to combine.
- Into the flax mixture, add the peanut butter, sugar, molasses and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Add homemade oat flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl and stir to combine.
- Next add chocolate chips and stir to evenly distribute.
- Transfer batter into prepared baking pan and spread out evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in a 350* oven for 30-35 minutes. Its done when the edges are golden brown. Mine was perfect at 33 minutes.
- Let cool completely, cut and serve!
Notes
Let me know how this recipe worked for you! I hope you all stay safe and healthy!
Michiel's Kitchen
How have I never thought of this combination?!! These look truly delicious, thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Megan Calipari
They are so chewy and delicious! Thanks so much 🙂