I can’t believe I have gone this long without ever trying a blondie! I am constantly hearing raves about them from other foodies but I had never tasted one until now. These remind me a lot of a bar form of your favorite cookie. I love this recipe because it is so versatile. You can mix in whatever additions tickle your fancy :) I happened to have almost-empty bags of chocolate chips and Heath bar bits, as well as a regular size package of M&Ms all on-hand in my kitchen so I decided to add all those in. This is a great recipe if you suddenly get the urge to bake or have a craving for something sweet because it is likely that you already have the basic ingredients in your kitchen. They are so simple that I feel I could often make these without ever needing to make a trip to the store.
Basic Blondies
Ingredients:
7-8 tbsp. butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
Mix-ins of your choice (see options below)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line an 8×8” baking pan with foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in the egg and then the vanilla. Add the salt, flour and baking powder and mix until just combined. Stir in your choice of mix-ins with a wooden spoon. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread to level the top.
Bake for 22-25 minutes or until set in the middle. Allow to cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Mix-in ideas:
½ – 1 cup chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips
½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds
½ cup M&Ms
½ cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
¼ cup toffee pieces
½ tsp. mint extract, in addition to or in place of the vanilla extract
Source: Blonde Ambition in the Kitchen
