Sunbutter Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies

Happy New Year! 2013! 

Can you believe it?!

I fell asleep last night right after 10:30pm, I tried to stay awake, I really did, but when you are growing another human being in your body you tend to get tired pretty fast. So, needless to say I woke up after the midnight hour to go to the bathroom. Wonderful way to ring in the new year :) right?!

But then for a split second, I thought about sneaking another bite of these scrumptious treats. I didn't know what to call them at first because they have a little bit of everything wonderful. They are kinda like cake, but then kinda like brownies, so I am sticking with blondies just to be different. If you are a peanut butter and banana fan, then you have to try this combo. Of course I subbed in the sunbutter to make them nut-free, but some creamy peanut butter would also work wonderfully. Or maybe you are a peanut butter and chocolate fan? These will hit the spot too! A little bit of wonderful in every bite. Minus refined sugar of course.

I have been craving chocolate and sweets with this pregnancy more than with my first....does this mean  it's possibly a girl? I dunno, but something (or somebody) has hyjacked my sweet tooth and made it sassy and tenacious. Of course I don't know if you could call my refined-sugar-free sweet tooth, really a sweet tooth, but still...it's sweet to me, and calories no difference.

That is one thing this new year's that has been interesting. I am not going to start any "new resolution" in my diet or try any crazy raw smoothie thing for the new year. I am pregnant, and that's my job right now, but I am sticking to that resolve if you want to call it that. I do want to try and drink more water, drink nutritous teas and eat more greens. But don't we all. And, the nice part is that I can even find great joy in making and eating a special treat like this one....even after the holidays :)

But, don't like me change your mind about trying new and exciting adventures in the kitchen this new year. Maybe you want to try a vegan diet, or maybe you want to eliminate something you know has been giving you troubles (dairy, eggs, nuts or whatever). I give you my full and honest support in whatever ventures you find yourself in. My only thing is that you have to do it for you. Don't go on a skinny diet because you think that is what the people around you want to see from you. Don't start working on that six-pack because you think that will bring you to some new level of enlightenment. Just do what fits for you. And, stick with it, for you. Care for yourself and make that a resolution. Think about it as starting a new habit instead of accomplishing a goal. Think about it being a part of the person you are becoming on a journey instead of some fad thing you want to try out.

Well, that's my soap box speech for the day. Take it or leave it. Or call it crazy pregnancy hormones. At least that's my excuse for these amazingly satisfying treats. I hope you have a happy new year and many blessings in 2013!

Sunbutter Banana Chocolate Chip Blondie Recipe
1/4 cup of applesauce (I used homemade)
1/4 cup of local honey
1/4 cup of coconut sugar
1/4 cup of melted organic coconut oil
1 cup of mashed ripe bananas (I used 3 medium)
1 fresh egg (or chia or flax egg replacement- 1 TB ground seeds with 3 TB water whisked)
1 TB of pure vanilla
1/3 cup of sweet sorghum flour
1/3 cup of millet flour
1/3 cup of tapioca flour
1/2 ts. of baking powder
1/2 ts. of baking soda
1/2 ts. of sea salt
1/2 cup of sunflower seed butter*
1/3-1/2 cup of chocolate chips (dark, dairy free is what I prefer)

Ingredient Notes:
*If you want to make this a grain-free recipe, you can sub all of the flours for 1 cup of almond or other nut flour.

*I used sunflower seed butter because I wanted to avoid nuts, but you can sub the sunbutter for your favorite nut butter. I think peanut or almond butter would also be delicious. 

In a large mixing bowl, add the sweeteners, oil and egg. Whisk well together and then add the flours and dry ingredients. Lastly mix in the sunbutter thoroughly, then add half the chocolate chips to the batter. Use coconut oil to grease a 8x8 pyrex pan and then pour the batter into the pan, spread even and then sprinkle the remaining chips. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes and make sure to check with a toothpick to make sure the middle is cooked and not gooey. Let them sit for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting into. This recipe will make 16 bars in a 8x8 pan.

Then, ENJOY!

Much love as always!