Almond Butter Swirled Blondies (high protein, gluten free, low calorie, quick, & easy)

Blondies are the golden colored sister of brownies basically hence the name.  They are more butter and caramel flavored versus chocolate or cocoa.  I love blondies probably more than brownies but it can be hard to make them figure friendly as they are typically very rich.  I do believe I have come up with a very acceptable slimmed down version though!  They are chewy, soft and gooey with a really delicious almond and maple flavor.  Plus they are high protein, gluten free, low calorie and literally take less than 30 minutes to make & bake.  So get to baking!!! 😉

Ingredients:

*2 scoops vanilla casein protein powder

*1 & 1/4 cup almond meal or flour

*1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*8 teaspoons coconut palm sugar with stevia blend (this is an essential ingredient as this gives the blondies their chewy texture & enhances the rich, buttery, caramel like taste)

*2 large eggs

*1 teaspoon maple extract

*1 tablespoon extra virgin (unrefined) coconut oil (melted)

*1 packet Justin’s Maple Almond butter (or 2 measured tablespoons)

* extra stevia (or another zero calorie sweetener) only if you feel it needs extra sweetness

Preheat oven to 350.

Whisk casein protein powder, almond flour, & baking soda in small bowl.  In another larger bowl whisk eggs, maple extract, coconut palm sugar, & coconut oil.  Stir almond mixture into egg mixture.  The batter will be thick & cookie dough like.  Try a tiny taste of dough & if you want stir in a little extra stevia for additional sweetness.

Spray an 8 x 8 pan with nonstick spray and press dough evenly into pan.

Top uncooked dough with maple almond butter & do your best to swirl it evenly across the top with a knife.

Bake for 18 minutes or so.  Be very careful not to over bake!  The edges should look lightly browned and when a toothpick is inserted the dough should feel firm.  If in doubt it’s better to slightly undercook these than to overcook (as long as they are not obviously undercooked).

So buttery, chewy, & moist-yumm!!!

To store: Allow these to cool before covering in plastic wrap or putting in a plastic container (to keep soft).  There are no preservatives so please consume with a few days because I’m not sure exactly how long they will last (don’t last too long in my house 😉

Makes 9 servings

Per serving:

176 calories

11 grams protein

9 grams carbs

2 grams fiber

12 grams fat