S'MORES COLLAGEN PROTEIN BLONDIES
The collagen protein bar obsession continues! These S’mores Collagen Protein Blondies have a gooey, chewy blondie texture loaded with cinnamon graham flavor, chocolate and marshmallows, just like everyone’s favorite camping treat. BUT these decadent bars are gluten free and dairy free with way more protein and way less sugar!
By making healthier versions of your favorite treats to enjoy daily, you may find it easier to manage cravings that could otherwise lead to bingeing or anxiety around food. Coming from someone who overcame binge eating disorder, it’s definitely worked for me! I still eat the traditional treats too, just not everyday. I honestly just feel better having all that sugar less often 😉
Collagen substitutions
For added protein, I used LIV Body Flavorless Marine Collagen to promote gut and joint health, plus provide beauty benefits without ruining the taste or texture. Use my code SARAHWILKINS for free shipping on all products from LIVBody.com, including their skin care, performance supplements, and whey isolate protein!
If you don’t have collagen protein, substitute an additional one third cup (40 grams) of gluten free baking flour, or 40 grams of another protein powder (such as whey, whey-casein blend, or plant-based protein). You may also want to replace a quarter cup of the egg whites with unsweetened applesauce, buttery spread, or additional almond butter so they stay moist. You simply can’t use as much of these other protein powders (without modifications) or the bars will come out dry and dense.
Flour substitutions
I used gluten free baking flour to mimic the texture of traditional blondies, minus the gluten! However, you can totally use regular all-purpose flour, cake flour, cassava flour, fine oat flour, or sweet white sorghum flour. If using almond flour, increase the measurement to one and a half cups. For lower carbs, you can try swapping the gluten-free flour for six tablespoons of coconut flour (haven’t tested this).
Sweetener substitutions
To add sweetness without any sugar, I used my favorite natural brown sugar alternative that's free from stevia or erythritol. Feel free to use any sugar free brown sugar substitute that measures like sugar, or just regular brown sugar. If you substitute baking stevia, granulated erythritol, or granulated sugar like coconut sugar, the blondies will taste less rich. If using stevia extract or drops, check your brand’s conversion chart.
Other substitutions
Nut butter works great in these bars because collagen baked goods need a little extra help holding together, and nut butters are better for binding than butter or oil. I used drippy almond butter, but any nut butter will do, such as cashew butter or sunflower seed butter.
You can substitute the egg whites for two whole eggs, or *try* a vegan egg replacer like this one. In my experience, egg replacers do not always work as well!
Add-ins
Of course, these wouldn’t be s’mores blondies without some chocolate chunks and marshmallows (I used dairy-free chocolate chunks and mini vegan marshmallows). Vegan marshmallows are a must if you don’t want your marshmallows to disappear while baking! I have heard you can freeze regular marshmallows and add them just before baking to avoid them melting away, but this hasn’t worked for me.
Anyway, here’s the recipe for these S’mores Collagen Protein Blondies! I’d love for you to rate and/or comment below if you try it 🙂
This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored by LIV Body.
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