Thursday, February 23, 2012

smart blondes

Naturally blonde. 
"So, this blonde walks into a juice bar..."

I've been a towhead all my life. So I've heard, endured – and gleefully shared – more than my share of dumb blonde jokes. [Not to mention Polish jokes. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-popular vegan jokes.]

But seriously, folks. These formidable little blondies are no laughing matter. They're smart. Real smart.

Why? First, they're plant-based – no animal products, no cholesterol, no cruelty. Second, they contain only simple, pronounceable ingredients you're more likely to find in your pantry than in a science lab. Third, they're slightly lower in fat than most blondies. Okay. Counting in at 7 grams per bar, they won't pass muster with strict nutritarians [whom I admire]. But compared to the full-fat, cholesterol-laden alternative, they are positively angelic. For me, they strike a happy balance between prudence and decadence.

I'm dedicating this recipe to some smart blonde vegan cookies--who are probably too smart to ever eat blondies: Kris Carr of CrazySexyLife, Susan of FatFreeVegan, Amber of Almost Vegan,  and JL of JL Goes Vegan,

Happy baking, kids.

Smart Blondies


Wet:
  • 4 oz applesauce
  • 4 T canola oil
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Dry:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup whole-grain flour [I recommend part spelt flour, part whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 2 T soy flour
  • 1 T baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Makes 9 blondies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 9" pan.

Mix wet ingredients in a medium bowl.

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined.

Bake for 25-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before cutting.




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19 comments:

JL goes Vegan said...

Two things, my lovely:

1) I most definitely WILL eat these, you genius chef!

2) My hair is grey and I love you SO MUCH for considering me blonde! Good salt and pepper genes + a clever stylist (who highlights my grey with silver strands) keeps everyone guessing! ;)

xoxo

Bryanna Clark Grogan said...

Mmmm...those look great, Dynise! I could tell you some blonde jokes! My husband's oldest stepdaughter is a, shall I say, slightly bossy, blonde and a tenured professor, so she gets mercilessly teased in their big family!

urban vegan said...

@JL: I thought you were blonde. This sounds like fodder for some dumb blonde jokes. Buy seriously. You look so BLONDE.

Chef Amber Shea said...

Aww, thanks for the "tribute"!

Too smart to eat blondies? There's no such thing! Blondies are actually my signature dessert, so I eat more than my share of them ;) I'm going to "pin" yours to try next!

Susan Voisin said...

Aw, thanks for including me, though I suspect I'm officially more redheaded than blonde (at least this year). I have to admit that I haven't had blondies since before I was vegan, but I would love to have one of these!

Allyson said...

What a fun post! I've been a towhead (and Polish) all my life too and have heard ALL the great jokes, so I truly feel you on this one. good times, indeed.

But these pretty blondies look Mensa worthy to me... so lovely.

ps: I must mention that I also thought JL was a blonde!!

Matt said...

They look great. And so easy! Definitely something I will be trying over the weekend.

And shamefully, with my dark, dark features - I used to bleach my hair as a teenager! Oh, the horror!!

Thanks for the recipe.

Julie Hasson said...

These look amazing Dynise! I'm going to bake up a batch tomorrow!

Matt said...

Dynise, I can report back that I just made these with 60/40 spelt/wholewheat and they are fabulous, fluffy & moist. And the sweetness is subtle, just right. What a winning recipe!

urban vegan said...

@Susan: You were blonde when I met you, so I guess that stuck in my head. (I was a redhead once, too!)
@Matthew: So glad you liked them.

Amber said...

Yes!!! I love it!

Theresa said...

I've never been a blonde, but I would definitely eat these. They looks great.

MeShell said...

These look and sound delicious! I'm both blonde (and polish) so I've heard quite the collection. I haven't heard any vegan polish blond jokes yet though.

I also thought JL was blonde. :D

Veganosaurus said...

Ooooh they look super yummy!!

By the way, even I thought JL was blond! :)

Anonymous said...

Does no one notice that the addition of dry MILK makes these definitely NOT vegan??

urban vegan said...

Dry milk? Not in this recipe. Always a courageous anonymouse.

Urbans Mommy said...

These are Uh-MAZING! I sprinkled some coconut on top and added walnuts. Soooo tasty!!!

Zoe said...

These look so yummy!

jared said...

Possibly a little late to the party, but I can let you know I've made these three times and they have never missed. Really great flavor, not too sweet, and I appreciate that they are lower in fat. Thanks for a great recipe!