Blondies

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Hubby and I decided to send baked goods to our moms on Mother’s Day this year. Of course I was happy to help. I wanted to make something that would travel well and (of course) something I’ve never made. Since we were preparing for our kitchen renovation at the time, I also wanted to use up some of the random half bags of cookie mix ins.

Blondies fit my requirements perfectly. This blondie recipe is pretty well known. I made one batch with just dark chocolate M&Ms and another batch with some white chocolate chips, toffee bits, and chopped walnuts. Both batches turned out great and the one with the white chips turned out better than I expected. That combination of mix-ins tasted like butterscotch.

Blondies – from Blonde Ambition in the Kitchen

6-7 TBS butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder (optional, creates lighter blondie texture)

“Add in” (see below)

Preheat oven to 350.
Line an 8×8 pan with foil and lightly spray with PAM.
In a large microwave safe mixing bowl melt the butter. Allow to cool for 5 mintues. Mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour and baking powder (if using). Mix in any additions (some ideas below).

Pour into prepared pan and use a greased spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set in the middle. (I baked for 22 minutes)Cool on rack before cutting.

Add in ideas:
1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate or butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds
1/2 cup M&M candies1/2 chopped Reese’s PB cups
1/4 cup toffee pieces
1/2 tsp mint extract in addition to, or in the place of vanilla extract

Bars and Brownies, Dessert

9 comments »

14 Responses to “Samoas Bars”

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1

thecookingnurse — May 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm

Those look so good, now we don’t have to wait unitl the GS are selling there cookies again 🙂
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2

bakinandeggs — May 7, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Yum! They look delicious and your pictures are great.
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3

Erin — May 7, 2009 at 3:40 pm

I made these a while back and loved them too! It’s nice to be able to make your own any time you want!
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4

Memória — May 7, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Beautiful photos. You did an awesome job on these.
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bcallegra — May 7, 2009 at 5:22 pm

I’m so glad you made these! I noticed these on another blog and had them on my “to make” list. Your pictures may motivate me to make them this weekend!
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6

Ingrid — May 7, 2009 at 8:15 pm

They look terrific and I’ve never been one to eat girl scout cookies.
~ingrid
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7

Joelen — May 8, 2009 at 1:53 am

Now these look amazing!! Great job!
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8

finsmom — May 8, 2009 at 3:33 am

Ive been wanting to make these – they look crazy tasty!
Thanks for sharing! Yum!
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Mermaid Sweets — May 8, 2009 at 6:06 am

Great job – my hubby’s hoping I will give these a go.
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10

Stephanie Wagner — May 8, 2009 at 11:05 am

Samoas are my favorite too! I’m totally making some this weekend!!
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Colleen — May 8, 2009 at 5:46 pm

What a great way to enjoy Samoas when there are no cookies left!
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bakersbakery — May 11, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Yum!
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Hanaâ — May 12, 2009 at 5:05 pm

These look great!! Although I don’t eat coconut, I’ll have to make them for my hubby and coworkers sometime.

Not sure if you got my email last weekend but I was wondering if you know of any must-visit bakeries or eateries in Boston. We will be vacationing in Boston in a couple weeks. Thanks!!!

Hanaa
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14

Hanaâ — May 16, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Thanks for emailing me, Jen. I emailed you back to the address you gave me. Hopefully that worked :o)