Get cozy with a batch of these gooey healthy salted caramel blondies! They are swirled with a homemade dairy-free caramel for a fun twist on a classic blondie recipe. No white chocolate needed! They’re gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
Guys these healthy Salted Caramel Blondies ARE LIFE! Putting healthy and salted caramel in one sentence seems like a contradiction but bear with me. Healthy Salted Caramel Blondies are a thing around here now and I think you're missing out royally by not having them in front of them right NOW.
I can’t seem to get enough of them these days and am seriously excited to share these with you! Don the apron! I will show you how to bake up a batch of chewy caramely goodness at home in no time at all. Pinkie promise!
What are Blondies?
Just in case you are wondering what blondies are: They are just like brownies in shape and texture, but sans chocolate and flavored with lots and lots of vanilla and brown sugar in place of chocolate and cocoa powder.
Admittedly, many blondie recipes have loads of white chocolate added to them which immediately makes them super sugary. These healthier blondies do not have any white chocolate. Why is that no problemo? Because white chocolate is basically cocoa butter, milk powder, and sugar - all easily replaceable. And we don't really need the chocolate chips for texture in these as we have healthy swaps like coconut oil and coconut sugar for that perfect chew.
These Salted Caramel Blondies are dairy-free and refined sugar-free
The caramel part here is something we should quickly talk about! It is the easiest caramel I have ever made. A simple combination of coconut milk and coconut sugar, all cooked and reduced into a dreamy glossy caramel sauce. Vanilla and salt give it lots of butterscotch flavor.
I decided to swirl about half that homemade caramel into the batter itself right before baking the blondies! The rest I just save to drizzle over the top to serve.
I love how these blondies a bit cakey around the edges and then all nice and chewy caramel-y in the middle. So whether you like your brownies/blondies cakey and light or all dense - there will be a perfect piece for you AND your loved ones.
How to make healthy Salted Caramel Blondies:
For the Caramel Sauce:
Step 1 - Combine the coconut milk with coconut sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk until it comes to a low boil and all the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 2- Continue cooking and whisking the caramel for about 10 more minutes, or until you’ve achieved that lovely golden brown color and the sauce is slightly reduced. It will thicken some more as it cools. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla. Set aside to cool.
How to make Healthy Salted Caramel Blondies
Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-baking dish with parchment paper. Combine almond flour, baking soda, spices and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl
Step 3- In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla until smooth (remember to melt your coconut oil in the microwave first). Whisk in the egg, then slowly incorporate the dry ingredients a little at a time. The batter will be very thick and sticky, it’s normal..
Step 4 - Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish.
Step 5 - Divide the caramel into two equal portions. Swirl one portion into the batter, using a fork or a toothpick. Reserve the other portion for drizzling later.
Step 6 - Bake the salted caramel blondies for 25 minutes or until you notice the edges crisping up, and when the center is firm enough not to jiggle if you shake it a bit. The center may not look fully baked, but so long as it doesn’t jiggle at this point - you’re good. It will set further as it cools.
Allow them to cool for one entire, excruciating hour, then drizzle the remaining caramel on top (either before or after cutting them). You can speed this up in the fridge - it will also make them easier to cut.
Tips:
- You can skip the spices if you want.
- I have not tried replacing the egg in this recipe as I find it's really important to bind the almond flour. However, if you would like to make a vegan version, a flax egg should work here! Let me know if you tried it!
- You should totally double that salted caramel and put it on EVERYTHING!
- Chopped cashews or walnuts would be amazing in these!
- After coming out of the oven, they’ll be super warm, soft, and gooey but WAIT! You’ll want to cool them completely before cutting as they are super delicate when warm. I find that chilling the whole pan creates the perfect texture to cut them into nice clean squares and they taste even better chilled..
Healthy Salted Caramel Blondies
Get cozy with a batch of these gooey healthy salted caramel blondies! They are swirled with a homemade dairy-free caramel for a fun twist on a classic blondie recipe. No white chocolate needed! They’re gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients
Salted Caramel Sauce
- ⅔ cup coconut milk full fat
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Blondies
- 1 ⅔ cups almond flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg optional
- 1 tsp ground ginger optional
- ½ cup coconut oil melted in the microwave and still warm
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
-
Combine the coconut milk with the coconut sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk until it comes to a low boil and all the sugar is completely dissolved.
-
Continue cooking and whisking the caramel for about 10 more minutes, or until you’ve achieved that lovely golden brown color and the sauce is slightly reduced. It will thicken some more as it cools.
-
remove from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla. Set aside to cool.
For the Blondies
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
-
Combine almond flour, baking soda, spices and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl.
-
In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla until smooth (remember to melt your coconut oil in the microwave first). Whisk in the egg, then slowly incorporate the dry ingredients a little at a time. The batter will be very thick and sticky, it’s normal.
-
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish.
-
Divide the caramel into two equal portions. Swirl one portion into the batter, using a fork or a toothpick. Reserve the other portion for drizzling later.
-
Bake the blondies for 25 minutes or until you notice the edges crisping up, and when the center is firm enough not to jiggle if you shake it a bit. The center may not look fully baked, but so long as it doesn’t jiggle at this point - you’re good. It will set further as it cools.
-
Allow them to cool for one entire, excruciating hour, then drizzle the remaining caramel on top (either before or after cutting them). You can speed this up in the fridge - it will also make them easier to cut.
Recipe Notes
- You can skip the spices if you want.
- I have not tried replacing the egg in this recipe as I find it's really important to bind the almond flour. However, if you would like to make a vegan version, a flax egg should work here! Let me know if you tried it!
- You should totally double that salted caramel and put it on EVERYTHING!
- Chopped cashews or walnuts would be amazing in these!
- After coming out of the oven, they’ll be super warm, soft, and gooey but WAIT! You’ll want to cool them completely before cutting as they are super delicate when warm. I find that chilling the whole pan creates the perfect texture to cut them into nice clean squares and they taste even better chilled..
If you tried this Healthy Salted Caramel Blondies Recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
Andrea Metlika
These look and sound so decadent. Love that tgey are better for you too.
Rebecca
yum! love your addition of salted caramel to these blondies!
Laura
I am probably the only one who doesn't know what blondies are. Now that I know I need to make these
Shanna Allen
These were so moist and delicious. My entire family loved these amazing brownies.
Angela
The salted caramel sauce is so delicious!