Rich with chocolate chips and pears, these melt-in-your-mouth blondies are delicious as a dessert or tea bread. They’re especially good with almond tea.

Makes: 9 to 12 squares

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup natural granulated sugar
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 1/4 cup  rice milk, more or less as needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ripe pear, any variety, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, combine the first  6 (dry) ingredients.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the applesauce and oil. Stir together, then add enough rice milk to form a smooth and slightly stiff batter.

Stir in the diced pear and chocolate chips, then pour the batter into an oiled 9- inch square or round pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center tests clean.

Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting into squares to serve.

• Return to A Colorful Vegan Christmas (Vegetarians Welcome!) ^[1] for a complete listing of holiday dinner recipes, menus, and desserts.
• Here are more Vegan Quick Breads and Scones ^[2].
• Sweet tooth still craving? Here are more Vegan Baking and Sweets ^[3].
• Here are more Fruity Baked Goods ^[4].