These Salted Caramel Blondies are the ultimate guilt-free treat, delivering a gooey, fudgy texture and rich flavor without the refined ingredients. They are gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, yet they taste just as decadent as a traditional dessert. With a base of almond flour and warming spices, swirled with a homemade coconut salted caramel sauce, they are a dream come true for healthy eaters with a sweet tooth.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
There’s something magical about a dessert that nourishes your body while satisfying your soul. These blondies prove you don’t need butter or white sugar to create something incredible. Each square offers the perfect balance of nutty almond flour, cozy cinnamon and ginger, and a luscious, sticky caramel finish, making them an all-time favorite for anyone looking for a wholesome indulgence.
Why These Salted Caramel Blondies Are the Best
Dietary Friendly: Perfectly suitable for gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free diets.
Incredible Texture: Almond flour creates a moist, dense, and fudgy consistency.
Homemade Caramel: Features a lush, dairy-free caramel made from coconut milk that rivals the real thing.
Warm Spiced Flavor: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger add a cozy depth that complements the sweet caramel.
Nutrient Dense: Packed with healthy fats and unrefined sweeteners.
Easy to Make: Simple batter that comes together quickly without complex equipment.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
Perfect for Any Occasion
These Salted Caramel Blondies are ideal for post-workout snacks, healthy dessert spreads, or afternoon tea with friends who have dietary restrictions. They are a wholesome treat that fits every lifestyle. Serve them warm for a gooey experience or chilled for a chewier, denser bite.
Ingredient Notes
Salted Caramel Sauce
- Coconut milk: Use full-fat canned coconut milk to ensure the thickest, creamist caramel sauce.
- Coconut sugar or brown sugar: Provides the deep, molasses-like sweetness essential for caramel flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic depth to the sauce.
- Sea salt: The key ingredient to balance the sweetness and create that classic salted caramel taste.
Blondies
- Almond flour: The grain-free base that gives the blondies a tender, nutty crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the blondies rise slightly and stay light.
- Sea salt: Enhances the flavors of the spices and almond flour.
- Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger): These warming spices add complexity and a “cookie-like” flavor profile (nutmeg and ginger are optional but recommended).
- Coconut oil: Melted and used warm; provides healthy fats and moisture to the batter.
- Coconut sugar: Keeps the recipe refined sugar-free while adding a rich, caramel hue.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile.
- Large egg: Essential for binding the ingredients together and providing structure.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
Tips for Making the Best Salted Caramel Blondies
The spices are optional, so feel free to leave them out if you prefer a simpler flavor.
The egg plays an important role in holding the almond flour together. I have not tested other substitutions, but a flax egg should work if you are making a vegan version.
If you ask me, you should make extra salted caramel and keep it on hand. It is far too good not to.
A handful of chopped cashews or walnuts folded into the batter would be a lovely addition.
Fresh from the oven, these blondies will be soft and gooey. Do not cut them yet. They are delicate while warm. Chilling the pan gives you neat, clean slices and an even better texture and flavor.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
Serving Suggestions
Extra Drizzle: Save a little bit of the caramel sauce to drizzle over the baked bars just before serving.
With Dairy-Free Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of coconut or almond milk vanilla ice cream.
Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for an extra pop of flavor and crunch.
Coffee Companion: The spices make this the perfect pairing for a morning coffee or chai latte.
Chilled Snack: Keep them in the fridge for a firmer, chewy texture that holds up well for on-the-go snacking.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
A Must Try
These Salted Caramel Blondies are rich, spiced, and dripping with golden, dairy-free caramel. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a cheat meal but is actually packed with wholesome ingredients, satisfying every craving without the sugar crash. Whether you’re baking them for a specific diet or just want a delicious, healthier treat, one bite of this blondie will remind you that healthy baking can be absolutely decadent.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious
Ingredients
Blondies
- 1 2/3 cups almond flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg optional
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger optional
- ½ cup coconut oil melted in the microwave and still warm
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Salted Caramel Sauce
- ⅔ cup coconut milk full fat
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Salted Caramel Sauce
- In a sturdy saucepan set over medium heat, add the coconut milk and coconut sugar. Whisk patiently until the mixture warms, the sugar melts completely, and it gently comes to a simmer.
- Let it continue to cook, whisking often, for about ten minutes. You are looking for a rich golden color and a sauce that has reduced slightly. Do not worry if it seems a bit loose at first, it will thicken beautifully as it cools.
- Take the pan off the heat, then stir in the salt and vanilla. Set it aside and let it cool while you move on to the blondies.
Blondies
- Heat your oven to 350°F, or 175°C, and line an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure there is a bit of overhang for easy lifting later.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking soda, spices if using, and salt. Give it a good stir so everything is evenly distributed.
- In another bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and glossy. Add the egg and whisk until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing a little at a time. The batter will be thick and sticky, and that is exactly how it should be.
- Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
- Take the cooled caramel and divide it into two equal portions. Swirl one portion gently through the batter using a fork or toothpick, creating ribbons throughout. Save the remaining caramel for later.
- Bake for about 25 minutes. The edges should feel set and lightly crisp, and the center should not wobble when you gently shake the pan. Even if the middle looks slightly underdone, trust the process. It will firm up as it cools.
- Let the blondies cool completely, yes, the full hour is worth the wait. Once cooled, drizzle the remaining caramel over the top, either before slicing or after, whichever you prefer. If you are in a hurry, you may chill them in the refrigerator, which also makes cutting much easier.
Salted Caramel Blondies – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Delicious