These blondies are the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

When I first began creating this recipe, I decided that there were a few things I definitely wanted to include. First: pretzels. I know including pretzels in a blondie recipe is certainly unique (to say the least), but I figured that chocolate-covered pretzels work so well, that simply combining the two flavors in a dessert recipe work be just as delicious!

Next, I wanted to include dark chocolate. Blondies don’t have to include chocolate – instead they can be made with nuts, butterscotch, or white chocolate – but going along with the chocolate-covered pretzel theme, I figured a few dark chocolate chunks included in the batter wouldn’t hurt anyone!

Finally, I decided to use Medjool dates as the sweetener in this recipe. Not only are they all natural and about as healthy as you can get sweetener-wise, but they provide a decadent caramel flavor to the blondies. Then, I balanced out the sweetness with a sprinkle of sea salt, which ended up complementing the salty pretzels perfectly!

As a result of this mix of very diverse ingredients, these blondies are super weird. They actually don’t taste like any dessert you’ve had before… but are really really delicious nonetheless. The first bite you take will leave you wondering what is this flavor combo I’m tasting? But with each bite, you’ll start to love them more and more, until, if you’re like me, you’ll eat almost the entire pan yourself!

Not only do these blondies combine the sweetness of dark chocolate, caramel-undertone of dates, and crunchiness and saltiness of pretzels perfectly… but they’re incredibly healthy! Instead of any butter, sugar, or white flour, I chose to use oat flour, whole wheat flour, dates, and coconut oil. Meaning, these blondies are something to feel good about (and certainly a lot healthier than any blondie you would find in your local bakery! Unless it was a healthy bakery, then in that case you might find something as healthy! ;))

My friends say I complement food, or say it looks/tastes amazing, too much. But in this case, you’ve just got to believe me: these blondies are the most interesting dessert you’ll ever eat…

Which makes them all the more delicious!!

Sweet & Salty Caramel Blondies

• 1 c old fashioned oats
• 1/4 c whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 c (about 6 or 80g) pitted Medjool dates
• 3 tbs melted coconut oil
• 2 tbs flax seed meal + 3 tbs water
• 1/4 c (about 1/2 oz) pretzels
• 3 oz dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Add oats, baking powder, and sea salt to a food processor and blend until ground. Add medjool dates, coconut oil, and flax seed meal & water mixture to the food processor and pulse until combined. Add flour and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and add chopped dark chocolate. Grease an 8″x8″ pan, then press batter into pan, smoothing with a spatula. Top with chopped pretzels and additional chocolate, pressing into the dough. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

Calories: 96

Fat: 5g

Carbs: 10g

Protein: 1g

(Yields 16 bars)