Better for You: Chocolate Chip Blondies

During the Holiday Season, you find yourself always surrounded by desserts. You bake them. They're at the parties and gatherings you attend. The leftovers from parties are at your house. You can't hide from them, and most of them look pretty delicious and tempting. Your brain and palate might be telling you to eat them while the buttons on your pants are indicating that you have had enough. The following is a recipe of a healthier dessert that tastes pretty delicious, but yet it is a much healthier (low in fat and calories) version of a holiday favorite. You might have even tried these Better for

You: Chocolate Chip Blondies. They were served at the Holiday Dinner this year in the Ballroom and were a hit!

Better for You: Chocolate Chip Blondies

Makes two - 9x13" pans = 60 pieces

Ingredients
6 cups (35oz by weight / 48 fl oz) garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup honey (or to make this recipe vegan: use 1/4 cup agave nectar)
2 tbsp vanilla
1/4 cup applesauce
2 large bananas
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
Pinch nutmeg
1/2 cup chocolate chunks
1/3 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two 9x13" oblong pans with parchment.
2. Blend all ingredients (except the chocolate) until very smooth in a food processor (you may have to blend two or more batches depending on the size of your food processor).
3. Pulse in the chocolate chunks and chips.
4. Spread the batter in the pans.
5. Bake 45 minutes.
6. Do not over bake. They will firm as they cool.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories: 76.8
Total Fat: 1.4 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 97.0 mg
Total Carbs: 17.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.6 g
Protein: 1.5 g

 

* In order to make this recipe healthier, the typical fat source was not used - butter, margarine, oil - instead the recipe used applesauce. The recipe did not call for eggs as its binder - instead it used pureed garbanzo beans. Since there were no eggs used in this recipe, if you use agave nectar instead of honey, this recipe becomes a vegan dessert as well. The usage of garbanzo beans provides both protein and fiber to this dessert. The fiber content is also increased by using the oats and whole wheat flour. I recommend you try these desserts at your next holiday party. Then you can choose these over the other high calorie, high fat desserts, and you can impress our friends with your healthy, tasty dessert option.

 

Happy Holidays!