Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Chickpea Blondies

Let’s get real, the combo of peanut butter and chocolate is a classic for a reason. I’m never one so say no to these two ingredients, but my boyfriend, Sam, is a fiend for anything Reese’s-inspired. For our Valentine’s celebration, I decided to make a meal of his favorite dishes, so naturally these appeared for our tasty yet healthy dessert.

Depending on your on taste OR if you have a peanut allergy, you can absolutely substitute for almond butter or any nut butter of your choice. Personally, I’m as passionate about almond butter as Sam is for peanut, so I can assure you an almond version of these babies will be happening in the near future. Just make sure to use an all-natural nut butter with simple ingredients–nuts and salt are all you need!

But unlike normal blondies, these are naturally sweetened and completely gluten, dairy and egg free. The main secret? My favorite–chickpeas!

These versatile legumes add a creamy and doughy texture to the blondies, AND the dough can be eaten as a dessert hummus dip if you’re too antsy to wait for baking. Chickpeas also add an added protein and fiber-filled punch. Your dessert truly couldn’t get more nutritious or satisfying.

But let’s get to to the chocolate. I ended up chopping up my favorite Eating Evolved Signature Dark bar, and the chunks were the perfect addition. I recommend using a dark or bitter-sweet bar or chips so you don’t overwhelm the dough with sweetness.

Though I whipped up these blondies for a special Valentine’s dessert, they’re easy and tasty enough for an everyday sweet. Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, and enjoy these mouthwatering and healthy treats!