These gluten-free and vegan Chocolate Walnut Espresso Blondies are a bold mixture of flavors making for the perfect, sweet breakfast or late night sweet tooth quencher.
Have you guys ever wondered what food bloggers are doing while they’re writing their blog posts and sharing their recipes? Like… are they in a coffee shop (as most everyone imagines)? Are they outside by the pool, typing away? Are they stuffing their face with their delicious creations, while typing with one hand?
Well, I’ll tell you what I’m doing, in case anyone cares.
Currently: listening to the Food Blogger Pro podcast (Facebook Ad episode with Tony Rulli, so far so good!), feet propped up on recliner, neck stuffed down creating double (triple) chin, headphones on, “in the zone” face engaged. Oh, and I just realized my mouth is wide open and my jaw is pushed forward. Why.
What the heck is wrong with me when I get in the zone? It’s like when I’m watching a movie, and I catch myself with my mouth wide ass open. Like at what point did I drop my mouth? Why can’t I have a normal face when I’m staring into space?
Random rant, I know. Maybe I’m weird, but I do often wonder what the person who wrote the article I’m reading at that moment was doing when they wrote it.
What made me think about this? This article that I read recently about a guy who was working in a coffee shop with his friend. He always wondered what everyone around him was working on, so he decided to stop working and ask every single person. I always wonder this same thing! My first thought is always “why are there so many people at Starbucks at this time?? Don’t you people work??” Then I realize that I, too, am at Starbucks.
But it’s such an interesting article – I loved seeing what every person was working on. Not because I want to be nosy, but because it’s cool to see that you are actually surrounded by such interesting people, and you don’t even know it!
[Tweet “Chocolate Walnut Espresso Blondies – bold, sweet, soft, scrumptious!”]
Sometimes I’m also stuffing my face while writing, though. But I’m trying to make these blondies last. Because, friends… these b*tches are the bomb dot com.
I actually started testing this recipe as a “loaf”. First, I made a Dark Chocolate Almond Espresso Loaf. It tasted good, but it came out super flat. I didn’t love the almond addition, and I just didn’t have that feeling. You know, like the feeling a woman gets when she sees her wedding dress that she deems ‘the one’. I get that with food. That’s mah life.
But holy hell did I get that feeling with these. I almost made my mom take an “I said yes to the blondie” photo but then I was like mm better not.
These blondies are:
Sweet
Salty
Dense
Moist
Chocolatey
Bold
Vegan and gluten-free
AND YES, I understand that I have a photo of ice cream on top of a vegan recipe. But…but I’m sorry. I had to. Because ice cream on top of blondies/brownies is basically heaven, and I didn’t have any vegan ice cream (if that’s a thing?) on-hand. If you’re a vegan or lactose intolerant, you know what to do!
- 1 1/4 cups gluten-free flour (I used Pillsbury gluten-free mix)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso + 1 tbsp
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (vegan)
- *Optional: sea salt for topping
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a loaf pan.
- Combine dry ingredients into a large bowl: flour, baking powder, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Add in coconut oil and flax eggs. Mix well.
- Add vanilla extract, almond milk, and espresso. Combine.
- Fold in chocolate and almonds.
- Pour batter into loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
[Tweet “Chocolate Walnut Espresso Blondies”]
Join the conversation:
What are you usually doing while you work? (i.e. sitting at your desk, drinking coffee, snacking, etc)
What is one person you think has a crazy working routine? (I’m thinking like… JLo must have some rituals she does!)
Did you like this recipe? Pin it for later!
I am always working and eating while I am working…except for dinner…I make sure to disconnect and enjoy my meal while watching some painful guilty BRAVO show…HAHA! Want these blondies ASAP!
Lol! You know I’m a Bravo superfan girlfriend, I hear ya!! 😀 Thanks so much!! xo
Such a delicious looking recipe Christina! When I’m working I usually have some background noise on because I’m not one for the silence, unless I’m studying for a test or quiz…then I have to go to the library or something. And I bet Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have crazy work schedules. Random pair but I just thought of them! Haha!
Hahaha that is such a random pair but you are totally right. And I am the same way – I have to listen to music or have the TV on in the background. I’m actually visiting my boyfriend (he’s in grad school) right now and have thought about going to the library to see how productive I am, because back in the day the library is where I went to really hunker down!!
ahaha I am always wondering what people are doing, or where they’re going. Lately I have been writing posts at my desk, but I need to work on my posture because I sit in the chair with my legs all curled up and then my feet get numb. oops.
These sound freaking amazing and yes to ice cream on top! Vegan peeps can use coconut milk ice cream 😉
p.s. love your long pin graphic!
My feet get numb too because I sit with one leg crossed over the other and I sit at our bar/counter so I’m in a high stool and my feet are hanging. It’s bad I gotta get up and walk around every hour or so! Thanks so much Ash!! <3
My mom showed me that article about the coffee shop and said “why didn’t you think of doing that?!” I’m nosy so it probably would have come easy to me ha. I honestly work best when I’m sitting on my couch. I’ve always been that way, even in high school! These photos are stunning, teeny Tina (uh forgot to call you that last weekend).
I would probably think of doing that, but probably never do it because I’m too shy lol but I loved that story. So awesome. Teeny Tina hahaha nooo
Ummmm wut. THESE PHOTOS. Heart eyes emoji all up in here. So pretty.
I’m definitely one of those crazy ritual people because without having strict processes in place, I specialize in doing nothing. Like, being unproductive is a really strong talent of mine haha. I will say, I do envy folks who spend a majority of time working in coffee shops. I work in a stuffy office where I can’t really use my phone, go online or do anything fun. The flexibility of working wherever sounds amazing!
WE ARE THE SAME PERSON I SWEAAAAA
I have a hard time focusing on any one specific thing for longer than about five seconds, so I usually have a cup of tea or put the TV on for background noise to occupy me
Hahaha I swear I’m the same way. Unless I’m like super passionate and focused on getting something done, I’m like ok working aaaand now I’m on Facebook and now I’m eating a snack and the next thing I know I’m mopping the whole house
OMG that article is SO interesting. I always wonder what people are doing in Starbucks during the day. Ummm, the same thing that you are Caitlyn…working! These look soooo yummy.
LOL but sometimes I see people just chillin’ and I’m like WHAT ARE YOU DOINGGG. Don’t you work?!? haha
omg these look so good! I’m definitely about to read that article! I always wonder that too if I have a random day off.
When I’m blogging Im usually listening to something on my headphones that I find relaxing and usually have some sort of snack near by haha.
Thanks Heather! Yes read it it’s a cute article!! And totally – I have to have either music or a podcast goin’!
Loved that article! I’m always wondering what on earth people are doing when they’re working inside coffee shop but have a whole new appreciation for it. I love how they all said simply being around people inspires them
I tend to really focus in coffee shops and I think it’s because I tell myself that I have to get x done before I leave! Also, working from home all the time, I do like to be around people sometimes haha
Hahaha I was just imagining you sitting there in the zone. When I’m writing for my blog I’m normally lying on my bed, in my pjs with a cup of tea. Perfectly delightful.
Lol yeah I look pretty ridiculous! That sounds wonderful <3
I always stand at my counter and drink coffee while blogging because that’s the only way i’ll be productive! I’ve always wondered what others do too haha. I’m loving all your espresso deliciousness right here and would love to dunk these in more coffee
OMG why didn’t I dunk these in my coffee?!?! Genius
These look incredible. I’m all for that ice cream on top! YUM!
Thanks Rachel!! Ice cream + brownies/blondies is the ultimate combo
So many of my favorite things in one bar that’s GF and vegan?! I need these in my life! When I’m working, I’m usually sitting at my desk, getting progressively more hunched over until I realize that my posture is terrible and I sit up straight. Only to find I’m hunched over again five minutes later! 😛
OMG you say that and I just had to sit up straight because I was so ridiculously hunched over! Thanks for the reminder ha!
Gahhh these are killing me! So thick and pillowy, I just want to take a nap on them. JK I want to eat them.
I’m forever having a double chin when I don’t notice. UGH.
I mean I would take a nap on them if I had the chance namsayinnn jk yeah I would probs just end up eating them too lolz.
I love your blog so much! I just left another comment on a post I found through p interest and decided to look around. We are very similar people. I love your little tidbit about people working at Starbucks.
These blondies are definitely getting pinned for a rainy day. They sound SO GOOD.
I just saw your ‘gram post and had to find these on the blog because they look ASTOUNDING.
Two things:
1. I am usually stalking food blogs when I’m working in coffee shops… But when I’m working I usually have tea getting cold because I have made it and then forget to drink it, and usually a Spotify or Pandora station going. The “Shark in the Water” Pandora station is still my favorite after like 5 years…
2. Am I crazy or are there no walnuts in these and almonds instead? Or am I missing something in the recipe? v happy with almonds, just wondering.
Thanks sweet lady!
Thank you Sarah!! Aaaaand nope, I’m the crazy one. I must have been thinking about almonds LOL all this time and I never noticed that, thank you so much!
Heehee my pleasure! About to make these — will share a photo on Insta!