A Thanksgiving lifesaver - these chickpea blondies will not only be a crowd pleaser at your feasts this weekend, but they are also gluten free and vegan to fit everyone's dietary needs! Have a friend or family member with a nut allergy? Substitute in seed butter or any other nut-free butter! If you try this recipe, tag us in your photos on Facebook and Instagram @VancouverDietitians

Ingredients

• 1 can (16 oz) chickpea, drained and rinsed

• ½ cup natural peanut butter or almond butter

• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp baking power

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup chocolate chips

Recipe

1. Add chickpeas, nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth

2. Add the baking soda, baking powder, and salt and blend again

3. Fold in the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon or spatula

4. Pour cookie dough into an 8x8 baking dish lined with parchment paper

5. Bake blondies at 350F for 20-24 minutes or until a knife inserted in middle comes out mostly clean and the edges/top are golden brown (be sure not to overbake or this will dry out the blondies)

6. The batter will look slightly under-baked but it will firm up after letting it cool for at least 25 minutes.

#vegandessert #glutenfreerecipe #healthydessert