White Chocolate, Peanut Butter, & Banana Blondies

As you might recall from this post, I promised you a recipe for blondies using Saratoga Peanut Butter Company Blizzard [white chocolate] Butter. Well, here it is!

These cakey blondies deliciously combine the flavors of white chocolate, peanut butter, and banana.  The healthy fat in the peanut butter – along with the moisture from the mashed bananas – negates the need for oil or butter, and the inherent sweetness of the banana allows for using only a minimal amount of added sweetener.  The addition of whole wheat pastry flour yields a light & fluffy texture while contributing the healthy goodness of whole grains.

If those aren’t reasons enough to try these blondies, I’m not sure what is!

White Chocolate, Peanut Butter, & Banana Blondies

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup white chocolate peanut butter (I used Saratoga Peanut Butter Company Blizzard Butter)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup Sucanat or brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup mashed overripe banana (about 3 large)
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup all-natural white chocolate chips, such as Sunspire

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges hang over the sides of the pan.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream together the peanut butter, applesauce, and Sucanat. Add in the egg and beat until combined. Add in the mashed banana and vanilla; beat until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Stir white chocolate chips into the dry ingredients (this step prevents the chips from sinking into the batter).
5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just moistened.
6. Spoon batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Remove pan from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Remove the blondies by picking up the edges of the parchment paper and let cool completely; cut into squares and serve.