These are fudgy and chewy, chocolaty and buttery, half blondie and half brownie in one decadent and delicious pan of temptation. Why are they dangerous? Because Linda is one of the most disciplined people on the planet when it comes to food, and these made her toss her willpower to the curb.
If you love the combination of brownies, browned butter blondies, peanut butter and semisweet chocolate chips, you’re going to dive into a pan of these. Make them for a birthday celebration, your next party or just because you deserve a little sugar in your life. —LM + AM
SERVES 12
BLONDIES
½ cup (116 g) vegan butter
1 cup (223 g) packed brown sugar
2 cups (253 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
½ tsp fine sea salt
½ cup (90 g) creamy peanut butter
½ cup (124 g) unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
½ cup (91 g) semisweet chocolate chips
BROWNIES
½ cup (116 g) vegan butter
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (see Note)
1 cup (126 g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (85 g) cocoa powder
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 tsp fine sea salt
½ cup (124 g) unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ cup (91 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9 x 9-inch (23 x 23-cm) pan.
FOR THE BLONDIES
In a saucepan, melt the butter and the brown sugar over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Stir constantly to avoid scorching.
Cook for about 4 minutes. It should look glassy and creamy. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt until combined.
Add the peanut butter, applesauce and vanilla to the butter and sugar mixture, and stir until the peanut butter melts, about 1 minute. Then pour it into the flour mixture and add the chocolate chips. Stir until just combined. Spread the blondie batter evenly in the greased pan.
FOR THE BROWNIES
In a saucepan, melt the butter and sugar over medium-low heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Stir constantly to avoid scorching. Cook for about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set it aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until they are well combined.
Add the applesauce and vanilla to the butter and sugar mixture, and stir until completely combined. Pour it into the flour mixture, add the chocolate chips and stir until just combined. Spread the batter evenly over the blondie mixture.
Gently tap the bottom of the pan on a flat surface to remove air bubbles and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean, or with a few crumbs, from the center of the pan. Let it cool before cutting.
Note: Some brands of granulated sugar use bone char to filter it. You can go to the PETA website to find the brands that are vegan.