Delicious 1-Bowl Vegan Gluten-Free Blondies with Dark Chocolate Chips

Discover the ultimate convenience and flavor with these incredible 1-Bowl Blondies, crafted with wholesome oat and almond flour and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. Crowned with rich Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips, these treats are perfect for any occasion!

The holiday season is officially in full swing! Thanksgiving may have passed, but the festive spirit and joyful bustle are still very much alive. For many, this time of year brings a special kind of magic, often centered around cozy gatherings, thoughtful gift-giving, and, of course, delicious homemade treats. I’m thrilled to say I’m ahead of the game this year, having completed most of my holiday shopping back in October and November. This unexpected perk means I have more precious time to dedicate to crafting heartfelt Christmas cards and, perhaps even more excitingly, indulging in my favorite holiday pastime: baking!

Friends, if there ever was a perfect time to fire up your oven and create something sweet, it’s now. This season truly calls for the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through your home. And I’m incredibly excited to share my first delightful December creation with you. Last week, my kitchen was a bustling hub of activity, with the oven constantly on as I experimented with various blondie recipes. After countless trials and taste tests, I’ve perfected a recipe that I believe stands head and shoulders above the rest.

What I’m presenting to you today is my absolute favorite rendition: blondies that are perfectly sweet, wonderfully chewy, and generously studded with rich, melty chocolate. These aren’t just any blondies; these are my signature 1-Bowl Blondies. Designed for simplicity and maximum flavor, they’re crafted using a wholesome blend of oat and almond flour, naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup for a delightful, refined sugar-free indulgence. To elevate their character and add a layer of deep, complex flavor, I’ve adorned them with Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips. Remember, when it comes to chocolate chips, always measure with your heart – the more, the merrier!

These blondies are not only incredibly delicious but also cater to various dietary preferences, being both vegan and gluten-free. They are the perfect treat to whip up for yourself, your family, or to share with loved ones during this joyous season. Prepare a pan of these delightful blondies, and get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer, one sweet bite at a time. Their wholesome ingredients and irresistible flavor make them a guilt-free pleasure that everyone can enjoy.

What You Need to Make These Irresistible 1-Bowl Blondies

Creating these remarkably easy and delicious blondies requires just a few simple, wholesome ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimal fuss and reliance on pantry staples that deliver maximum flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:

• Oat Flour: This provides a fantastic chewy texture and a subtle, earthy flavor to the blondies. It’s a great gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, adding a wholesome depth without making the blondies dense.
• Superfine Almond Flour: Almond flour contributes to the tender crumb of these blondies, ensuring they remain moist and delicate. Its fine texture blends seamlessly into the batter, offering a hint of nutty flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully.
• Baking Powder: Essential for leavening, baking powder helps these blondies rise slightly, giving them a pleasant lift and a light, airy quality that prevents them from becoming too dense.
• Runny Cashew Butter: This is the secret to the rich, moist texture and neutral flavor profile. Cashew butter melts beautifully, binding the ingredients together and providing a buttery richness without overpowering the other flavors. Ensure it’s runny for easy mixing!
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, maple syrup imparts a lovely, complex sweetness with caramel notes. It’s an unrefined sugar option that adds moisture and depth of flavor, making these blondies wonderfully indulgent without being overly sweet.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Used to achieve the perfect batter consistency, almond milk adds necessary moisture. You’ll add it gradually, ensuring the batter is spreadable but not watery. It’s a versatile plant-based milk that keeps the recipe dairy-free.
• Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips: These are the stars of the show, providing bursts of intense, bittersweet chocolate flavor. Their high-quality cocoa content and excellent meltability ensure gooey, rich puddles of chocolate throughout each blondie, adding character and intrigue.

That’s truly all you need! With these simple yet powerful ingredients, you’re set to create a batch of blondies that are not only easy to make but also incredibly satisfying and packed with wholesome goodness. The beauty of this recipe lies in its elegant simplicity and the ability to produce a decadent dessert from a minimal list of ingredients.

Effortless Baking: How to Make 1-Bowl Blondies

The “1-Bowl” aspect isn’t just a catchy name; it truly reflects the simplicity and minimal cleanup involved in preparing these delightful blondies. Follow these straightforward steps for a seamless baking experience:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, take an 8 x 8-inch square baking pan and line it meticulously with parchment paper. This crucial step ensures that your blondies won’t stick and can be easily lifted out for perfect slicing once cooled. If you don’t have parchment paper, a light greasing of the pan will also work, but parchment paper makes removal effortless.
2. Combine All Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (yes, just one!), add your oat flour, superfine almond flour, baking powder, runny cashew butter, pure maple syrup, and the initial ¼ cup of unsweetened almond milk. Using a spatula or a sturdy spoon, mix all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and form a cohesive batter. It’s important to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure no dry pockets of flour remain.
3. Adjust Batter Consistency: After the initial mix, assess the batter’s consistency. It should be thick, but easily spreadable. If you find the batter is too dry or stiff, gradually add an extra splash (about 1-2 tablespoons at a time) of almond milk, mixing until you achieve that perfect, spreadable consistency. The goal is a batter that can be smoothly spread into an even layer in your baking pan without much effort.
4. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Now for the best part! Gently fold in your generous portion of Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips. Use a spatula to distribute them evenly throughout the batter, ensuring every bite will be studded with rich, melty chocolate. Remember, don’t be shy with the chocolate!
5. Transfer and Spread: Spoon the blondie batter into your prepared baking pan. Using your spatula, carefully spread the batter into a thin, even layer across the entire base of the pan. This ensures uniform baking and a consistent texture in every square. For an extra touch of indulgence, feel free to sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top before baking – it creates a beautiful visual and an extra burst of chocolatey goodness.
6. Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the blondies are ready when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry blondies. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the blondies to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling is key for setting their perfect chewy texture.

And there you have it! A simple, efficient process to create wonderfully decadent, wholesome blondies with minimal fuss. Enjoy the ease and the delicious outcome!

The Choice of Excellence: Endangered Species Chocolate

For these 1-Bowl Blondies, I specifically chose Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips, and for good reason. They don’t just add a delicious flavor; they bring character and a certain intrigue that elevates these blondies beyond the ordinary. These aren’t your average baking chips; they are specifically designed for those who appreciate high-quality chocolate and a slightly healthier approach to holiday baking.

What makes these dark chocolate baking chips truly special is their formulation. With no excess sugar, they allow the true, rich flavor of cacao to shine through. Made with oat milk, they are inherently dairy-free, aligning perfectly with our vegan blondie recipe. During baking, these chips don’t just hold their shape; they melt into glorious, gooey puddles of intense chocolate, creating pockets of decadence within each chewy blondie square. This creates a delightful contrast in texture and a burst of deep chocolate flavor that truly makes these blondies sing.

Beyond the exceptional taste and quality, there’s another profound reason I consistently choose Endangered Species Chocolate: their unwavering commitment to giving back to the environment. With every purchase, a portion of their profits supports wildlife conservation efforts, making each bite a contribution to a greater cause. The specific packaging of these 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips features the magnificent Octopus, bringing vital awareness to the challenges faced by this intelligent creature and marine life conservation in general. It’s a brand that allows you to indulge your sweet tooth while simultaneously making a positive impact on our planet.

Tailoring Your Treats: Swaps & Substitutions

One of the joys of baking is the flexibility to adapt recipes to your preferences or what you have on hand. These 1-Bowl Blondies are wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to customize them while still achieving delicious results. Here are some ideas for swaps and substitutions:

• Sweetness Level: The pure maple syrup provides a delicate, natural sweetness. If you prefer your blondies sweeter, you can add an extra tablespoon or two of maple syrup. Conversely, for a less sweet treat, reduce the maple syrup by a tablespoon or two. Remember that this will slightly alter the moisture content, so you might need to adjust the almond milk. Other liquid sweeteners like agave nectar can also be used, but note that they may impart a slightly different flavor profile.
• Chocolate Abundance: My personal philosophy is to “measure chocolate chips with your soul,” which means adding as many as your heart desires! The recipe calls for ½ cup, but don’t hesitate to increase this to ¾ or even 1 full cup for extra chocolatey bliss. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips – milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, white chocolate for a creamy contrast, or even chopped chocolate bars for larger, melty pockets.
• Flour Alternatives: While I highly recommend sticking to the oat and almond flour blend for the best texture and structure, I haven’t rigorously tested this recipe with other flour combinations. Substituting different flours can significantly alter the moisture absorption and binding properties. If you must experiment, be prepared to adjust liquid amounts carefully. For instance, using only oat flour might result in a denser blondie, while adding more almond flour could make them more crumbly.
• Nut or Seed Butter: I specifically recommend runny cashew butter for its neutral flavor profile, which allows the maple and chocolate notes to shine. However, you can absolutely use other runny nut or seed butters you have on hand. Almond butter or even peanut butter (for a peanut butter blondie twist!) would work well, though they will introduce their distinct flavors. For a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter (sunbutter) is an excellent choice, but be aware that it can sometimes react with baking soda/powder to create a greenish hue, which is harmless but can be surprising!
• Milk Varieties: Unsweetened almond milk is my go-to for its neutral taste and dairy-free nature. However, any other plant-based milk like soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk would work equally well in this recipe, maintaining its vegan integrity.

By keeping these simple guidelines in mind, you can effortlessly customize your 1-Bowl Blondies to suit your taste, pantry, and dietary needs, making them truly your own!

Serving and Storing Your Delicious 1-Bowl Blondies

Once your 1-Bowl Blondies are baked to golden perfection, patience is a virtue! Allowing them to cool adequately is crucial for achieving that ideal chewy texture and ensuring clean, beautiful slices. Here’s how to best serve and store your homemade treats:

How to Serve:

• Cool Before Slicing: After removing the blondies from the oven, resist the urge to cut into them immediately. Let them cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes. This cooling period allows them to firm up, making them much easier to slice into neat squares without crumbling.
• Simple Indulgence: These blondies are incredibly delicious on their own. Their protein-packed, wholesome ingredients make them feel like a decadent treat, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth any time of day.
• Elevated Dessert: For a truly special dessert, serve your blondies slightly warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream. A drizzle of extra maple syrup or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can further enhance their flavors.
• With Your Favorite Brew: They pair wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee, tea, or a glass of cold plant-based milk. They are also fantastic with a rich hot chocolate during the colder months.

Storage Instructions:

• Short-Term Storage: To maintain their freshness and chewiness, store any leftover blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain wonderfully delicious for up to one week.
• Long-Term Storage (Freezing): For longer enjoyment, these blondies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, slice them into individual squares. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze them for about 30 minutes until firm. This prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer the frozen blondies to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2-3 months.
• Thawing & Reheating: To enjoy frozen blondies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. For a “freshly baked” experience, you can gently warm them in a microwave for 15-30 seconds or in a preheated oven (around 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes until soft and warm.

I absolutely love baking a pan of these and enjoying squares for dessert after dinner throughout the week. They’re a perfect balance of wholesome and indulgent, making them a staple in my kitchen. Enjoy every single bite!

Explore More Vegan & Gluten-Free Brownies and Blondies

If you loved these 1-Bowl Blondies, you’ll be thrilled to discover my other favorite vegan and gluten-free brownie and blondie recipes. Each recipe is crafted with wholesome ingredients to bring you decadent, guilt-free indulgence:

• Vegan Cosmic Brownies

• Sweet Potato SunButter Brownies

• SunButter & Jelly Brownies

• Pumpkin Almond Butter Brownies

• Blueberry Mousse Brownies

• No-Sugar-Added Black Bean Brownies

• Cashew Butter Buckeye Brownies

• Super Fudgy Vegan Brownies

• Matcha Dusted Raw Blondies

• Avocado SunButter Swirl Brownies

• Black Sesame Butter Brownies

• 1-Bowl Butternut Brownies

• Flourless Vegan Brownies

We’d Love to Hear From You!

If you give this fantastic 1-Bowl Blondies recipe a try, please don’t hesitate to let me know how they turned out! Your feedback is invaluable and truly helps me create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy.

Be sure to leave me a comment, a star rating, and a review below. Your insights help improve future recipes and guide other home bakers.

Share your beautiful creations with me on Instagram! Tag #floraandvino in your posts so I can see and celebrate your delicious blondies.

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XO Lauren

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This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with Endangered Species Chocolate, a brand committed to ethical practices and environmental conservation. Rest assured, all opinions, words, and delicious eats shared here are authentically my own. Thank you for supporting the incredible sponsors that enable me to continue sharing my culinary passions!