Nutmeg Blondies

Continuing to learn about cooking by ratios...If you are new to cooking with ratios, check out my summary in this post. Each month, a group of GF bloggers join forces to create their own unique baked goods using the ratios of one ingredient to another--the collaboration of these forces in the blogsphere is known as the Gluten Free Ratio Rally.

This month's Gluten Free Ratio Rally's challenge was Brownies. Mary Fran at Franny Cakes is our host this month. Here is the whole list of brownie experimenters....Don't these all sound so good?? :)

Adina from Gluten Free Travelette made Chocolate Brownie Pie with Orange Zest
Angela from Angela's Kitchen made  Gluten & Dairy Free Cream Egg Brownies
Brooke from B & the boy! made Triple Chocolate Brownies
Caitlin from {Gluten Free} Nom Nom Nom made Peppermint Brownie Bars
Caleigh from Gluten Free[k] made  White chocolate and marshmallow brownies
Caneel from Mama Me Gluten Free made Triple chocolate brownies
Charissa Luke from Zest Bakery made  Slutty gluten-free brownies
Claire from My Gluten Free Home  PB&J Brownie Whoopee Pies
Claire from This Gluten-Free Life made St. Patty's Day Marshmallow Swirl Brownies
Erin from The Sensitive Epicure made Mexican Cocoa Brownies with an Almond & Pepitas Crust
Gretchen from kumquat made  salted caramel brownies
Irvin from Eat the Love made  Blueberry Citrus Marble Brownies
Jean from Gluten-Free Doctor Recipes made Blue Ribbon Brownies
Jenn Cuisine made Grain free brownies with no-bake ricotta cheesecake cream
Jonathan from The Canary Files made Vegan Marbled Banana Walnut Brownies
Karen from Cooking Gluten Free! made  GF Chewy Crackled Top Brownies with Raspberry Puree
Mary Fran from FrannyCakes made  Gluten-Free Hazelnut (Nutella) Brownies
Morri from Meals with Morri made Oaxacan Brownies & Mesquite Cacao Blondies
~Mrs. R from Honey From Flinty Rocks made Black Bean S'More Brownies
Pete and Kelli from No Gluten, No Problem made  Caramel Mexican Chocolate Mesquite Brownies
Rachel from The Crispy Cook made  Co-Co Nut-Nut Blondies
Shauna from Gluten-Free Girl made  Gluten-Free Brownies
Tara from A Baking Life made Mint Chocolate Flourless Brownies
TR | No One Likes Crumbley Cookies Gluten Free Berry Fudge Brownies 

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ruhlman's book does not have a ratio specifically for brownies, but according to these tips from Elements of Chocolate, the ratio for brownies is similar to cookie dough, except that the amount of flour is greatly reduced. The ratio for cookies is 1 part sugar: 2 parts fat: 3 parts flour.

For this project, I decided that I didn't want to do a chocolate dessert this time. So I started trying my hand at a blonde brownie--without chocolate chips. This may be "sacrilegious" of sorts, but here goes.

I added nutmeg to my brownies for something different, inspired by a favorite non-GF recipe for "white gingerbread" (which, incidentally, did not have any ginger in it). I made my brownies Paleo, using grapeseed oil, as well as almond and coconut flours. (I've also experimented with this ratio using my current all-purpose flour blend. My hunch is that the almond flour and grapeseed oil make this batter more moist. If you use the AP blend, you will probably need less flour.) I've tried them with and without nuts, and they're great either way! (my pictures were taken without them)

The ratio of ingredients that I ended up using was =
1 part sugar: 2 parts fat: 2.5 parts flour: 2 parts egg

4 oz. grapeseed oil (can also use melted coconut oil or butter)
2 oz. coconut palm sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 oz. almond flour
1 oz. coconut flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 t. nutmeg
1 oz. chopped walnuts (or to taste--optional)

With a fork, cream together oil & sugar, then add vanilla. Beat in the 2 eggs.

In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients, except for the walnuts. Then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and whisk well until smooth.If you are using the walnuts, fold them in.

Pour batter into a greased round or square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 min, or till lightly brown on edges, and toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely before cutting.

Makes about 12-16 brownies, depending on the size you cut them.

This post was also shared as part of Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays.