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Home » Desserts

Easy Gluten-free Blondies (Dairy-Free)

Published: Aug 18, 2022 by Felicia Lim · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe
Chocolate chip blondies on wire rack.
Top down view of chocolate chip blondies on cooling rack.
Close up of chocolate chip cookie bars on rack.

Studded with chocolate chips, these easy gluten-free blondies are a mix of cake and cookie in one amazing single bite, and will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect as a sweet treat or dessert that you and your family can enjoy anytime, these chocolate chip cookie bars are also totally dairy-free, but no one would know!

Gluten-free blondies cooling on wire rack.
Jump to:
  • What Are Blondies? What’s the Difference Between a Brownie and a Blondie?
  • A Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Version of Blondies
  • Why This Recipe Works:
  • Ingredients You’ll Need + Recipe Notes/Substitutions
  • How To Make Gluten-Free Blondies (Step by Step)
  • Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • Other Gluten-Free Cookies You’ll Love:
  • Easy Gluten-free Blondies (Dairy-Free)

What Are Blondies? What’s the Difference Between a Brownie and a Blondie?

Blondies are basically a form of dessert bar, and are similar to brownies.

The main difference is that blondies do not use cocoa powder for coloring (which gives a dark brown appearance in the case of brownies). Let’s just call them blonde brownies, shall we?

The usual ingredients in traditional blondies also include (wheat) flour, butter, eggs and baking powder. Brown sugar is also often used instead of white sugar. Add-ins such as chocolate chips or nuts are also common.

A Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Version of Blondies

Traditionally, blondies are not gluten-free or dairy-free because of the wheat flour and butter used.

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However, I wanted to make a version of blondies that was both gluten-free and dairy-free, so these blondies were born! We’ve used coconut oil instead of butter, and gluten-free measure-for-measure flour instead of normal wheat flour.

Studded with chocolate chips, they are sort of like chocolate chip cookies in bar form.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this easy blondie recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required)!
  • Easy to Make: Preparation for these blondies is uncomplicated. All you need to do is to mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and then fold in the chocolate chips. Next, bake until golden and slice!
  • Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: These delicious gluten-free blondies are also 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without any issues!
Gluten-free chocolate chip blondies on wire rack.

Ingredients You’ll Need + Recipe Notes/Substitutions

  • Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil (because it has a more neutral flavor), as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil (which has a more pronounced coconut taste and smell). You may also use vegan butter if you like. Alternatively, if you are not dairy-free, feel free to use normal melted butter or ghee if you prefer.
  • Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use white sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer (just bear in mind that the darker the color of the sugar used, the darker the blondies will turn out). If you are diabetic or insulin resistant, I highly recommend that you use monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
  • Gluten-Free Measure For Measure Flour: Make sure you use a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour (sometimes also called 1:1 gluten-free flour), and NOT a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal wheat flour if you prefer.
  • Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, so make sure to include it if your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t already have it.
  • Baking Powder: The only leavening agent in this gluten-free blondies recipe is baking powder, so make sure you add it in. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.
  • Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of pure vanilla extract for extra flavor. If you don’t like the taste of vanilla or simply don’t have it on hand, you may leave it out.
  • Eggs: In this gluten-free chocolate chip blondies recipe, eggs are necessary for binding the ingredients together. I have not made this recipe without eggs, so I don’t know how that would turn out. (If you are allergic to eggs and make this using acquafaba or an egg-replacer, please let me know it goes in the comments below, I’d love to know!)
  • Chocolate Chips: I used dairy-free chocolate chips. If you are not lactose or dairy-intolerant, feel free to use normal dark chocolate chips instead. Alternatively, you may also use white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or peanut butter chips if you prefer.
Top down shot of gluten-free chocolate chip cookie bars on wire rack.

How To Make Gluten-Free Blondies (Step by Step)

1. Preheat and Line

Pre-heat oven to 350F (175C). Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan and line with parchment paper.

2. Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift the gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), and baking powder. Whisk well to combine.

3. Beat Sugar and Coconut Oil

In another large bowl, mix the melted coconut oil with sugar until creamy.

4. Add Vanilla and Eggs

To the oil-sugar mixture, add the vanilla extract and eggs. Mix until well until you get a pale yellow liquid mixture.

5. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet

Carefully add in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir well until you get a homogeneous dough-like batter.

6. Fold in Half the Chocolate Chips

Pour 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the blondie batter and fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed.

7. Press Dough Into Pan

Using a rubber spatula, press the chocolate chip cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, making sure you get an even layer.

8. Press Remaining Chocolate Chips Into Dough

Press the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the  surface of the gluten-free blondie dough.

9. Bake Until Golden

Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden brown.

10. Cool Before Slicing

Allow to cool completely before slicing the gluten-free blondies into bars.

Half-eaten gluten-free blondie and other cookie bars on cooling rack.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Line with Parchment Paper: Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper so it is easier to remove the gluten-free blondies once baked.
  • Other Add-Ins: If you don’t like chocolate chips, you may swap them out for other add-ins such as raisins or nuts.

Recipe FAQs:

How Do I Store These Blondies?

To store, place the gluten-free blondies in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Can I Freeze the Dough?

Yes you can. You may also prepare the dough beforehand and then freeze the dough in various layers of plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Let the dough thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before pressing it into the pan and baking.

Gluten-free Blondies on rack.

Other Gluten-Free Cookies You’ll Love:

  • Crispy Hazelnut Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
  • Gluten-free Lemon Shortbread Cookies (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
  • Chewy Pistachio Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crumbl Cookies (Dairy-Free)

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Easy Gluten-free Blondies (Dairy-Free)


★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: felicia | Dish by Dish
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cookie bars 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

These gluten-free blondies are a mix of cake and cookie in one amazing single bite, and are studded with chocolate chips to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect as a sweet treat or dessert to be enjoyed anytime, these chocolate chip cookie bars are also dairy-free, but no one would care!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2 cups gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your gluten-free flour blend already includes it)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Line: Pre-heat oven to 350F (175C). Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift the gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), and baking powder. Whisk well to combine.
  3. Beat Sugar and Coconut Oil: In another large bowl, mix the melted coconut oil with sugar until creamy.
  4. Add Vanilla and Eggs: To the oil-sugar mixture, add the vanilla extract and eggs. Mix until well until you get a pale yellow liquid mixture.
  5. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet: Carefully add in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir well until you get a homogeneous cookie dough.
  6. Fold in Half the Chocolate Chips: Pour 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the dough and fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed
  7. Press Dough Into Pan: Press out chocolate chip cookie dough into the pan, making sure you get an even layer.
  8. Press Remaining Chocolate Chips into Dough: Press the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the  surface of the gluten-free blondie dough.
  9. Bake Until Golden: Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden brown
  10. Cool Before Slicing: Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.

Notes

Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil (because it has a more neutral flavor), as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil (which has a more pronounced coconut taste and smell). You may also use vegan butter if you like. Alternatively, if you are not dairy-free, feel free to use normal melted butter or ghee if you prefer.

Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use white sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin resistant, I high recommend that you use monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Gluten-Free Measure For Measure Flour: Make sure you use a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour (sometimes also called 1:1 gluten-free flour), and NOT a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal wheat flour if you prefer.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, so make sure to include it if your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t already have it.

Baking Powder: The only leavening agent in this gluten-free blondies recipe is baking powder, so make sure you add it in. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.

Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor. If you don’t like the taste of vanilla or simply don’t have it on hand, you may leave it out.

Eggs: In this gluten-free chocolate chip blondies recipe, eggs are necessary for binding the ingredients together. I have not made this recipe without eggs, so I don’t know how that would turn out. If you are allergic to eggs and make this using acquafaba or an egg-replacer, please let me know it goes in the comments below.

Chocolate Chips: I used dairy-free chocolate chips. If you are not lactose or dairy-intolerant, feel free to use normal chocolate chips instead.

Storing: To store, place the gluten-free blondies in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Freezing the Dough: You may also prepare the dough beforehand and then freeze the dough in various layers of plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Let the dough thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before pressing it into the pan and baking.

Barely adapted from: Wine and Glue

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: gluten-free blondies

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @felicialimhz on Instagram and hashtag it #dishbydish

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About Felicia

Hey you! I’m Felicia, a Singaporean girl who moved to Buenos Aires for love. A couple of things about me: I love food, writing and food photography. I wrote a grain-free ecookbook that I know you’ll love and I also do freelance writing and photography if you want to work with me. Follow me on this blog as I navigate the world of cooking gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

Did you make a recipe? Tag @felicialimhz on Instagram. I love to see what you cook!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Grace Lim says

    August 19, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    Hello Felicia,

    I really love the name “blondies” that you have given to your gluten free chocolate chip cookie bars to complement the brownies differentiated by their colours.

    These gluten-free blondies are so yummy that we can finish eating a whole batch of them in no time. Thank God that a batch could be easily made within 30 minutes so we can have them for enjoyment whenever we crave for such yummy sweets!

    Love you lots,
    Mum

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Felicia Lim says

      August 22, 2022 at 6:02 am

      Hi mummy, glad you enjoyed these blondies 🙂 Love you much too!

      Reply
  2. Nicole says

    October 28, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    These cookie bars look really delicious! I will have to make a batch to share with my gluten free friends 🙂

    Reply
    • felicia | Dish by Dish says

      October 28, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Hey Nicole! They were really good! I hope your gluten-free friends will love them too 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says

    October 28, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Hi Felicia! I can totally relate to your experience – I just recently left my full-time job to start my own freelancing business, a dream I’ve had for a long time. Finally decided to go for it! It took me a long time (and many career tries) to get to this point. I am sure you will be led to the right destination. About the cookie bars, they look amazing! I just make gluten free chocolate chip muffins (haven’t posted yet) but must try these bars! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply
    • felicia | Dish by Dish says

      October 28, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Sherri, thank you so much for dropping by! But more than that, thank you for your kind words and sharing your experience! Glad to know there are other people on the same path, going through the same insecurities but still fighting to achieve our dreams! 🙂 So happy to meet you, fellow blogging friend!

      Reply
  4. April J Harris says

    October 28, 2015 at 11:42 am

    Lena gives very good advice! You will find your way – it’s amazing how things unfold in life. Love these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – and how wonderful they are gluten free as well!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • felicia | Dish by Dish says

      October 28, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      Hi April, you’re right! Lena definitely gives very good advice… and it’s amazing how life surprises us all the time. 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by dear!

      Reply
  5. Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says

    October 27, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Cool gluten free recipe. Looks delicious.

    Reply
    • felicia | Dish by Dish says

      October 28, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Peter! thanks for dropping by!

      Reply

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I’m Felicia: a girl from Singapore who moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina for love. My husband is Celiac so I test and share gluten-free recipes on my blog! I help people with food intolerances and allergies cook and eat delicious, healthy food! Stay a while, and let's be friends! ♥

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