Nana's Blondies!!!

The Blondie is sort of the brownie's less popular cousin.  However, I am not really sure why, because I love a good Blondie.  I guess it's the whole chocolate factor and how much most people really love chocolate. I am one of those people, but you can't eat chocolate for everything...can you?  Well, you could, but it gets sort of predictable.   This Blondie recipe is my mother's that she has been making for many years.  It's just very basic and easy and the thing I like about it is that you usually have all of these ingredients on hand.

Now if you look on Pinterest or on other food blogs, they have done just about everything to the poor little Blondie to dress her up and make her more exotic and fun and interesting.  There are M&M Blondie's, butterscotch Blondie's, Blondie's with caramel drizzled on them, Blondie's with white chocolate chips, and macadamia nuts.  There was even a Blondie with dark roots, which was a Blondie with chocolate on the bottom...lol.  Wasn't that just clever?  This is just a plain little Blondie and I think it's good enough as is with it's 1 cup of nuts, but feel free to add in whatever you like...white chocolate chips, dark roots, fancy schmancy nuts that cost a fortune, caramel drizzle...heck I think I might make some for Valentine's Day with those pink and red M&M's myself.

Here is what you will need for the basic Blondie:

1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups self rising flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are good)


Melt butter over low heat or in microwave.  Mix in the brown sugar.  Stir well.  Add in the eggs.  Gradually stir in the flour. Now add the vanilla and nuts.  Don't use an electric mixer, just a spoon.

Spread in a 9"x9" pan that has been sprayed with nonstick baking spray for 30 to 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
If you want thinner, chewier Blondie's, spread in a 9"x13" pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Nana's Chewy Blondie's!





Butterscotch Blondies!

I love anything butterscotch and I also love Blondies, so I knew these "Butterscotch Blondies" would be a winner.  They are also so easy to make!  These are delicious with a big glass of milk or a good cup of coffee. 

Here is what you will need:

6 oz. butterscotch chips

6 oz. white chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

4 eggs

2 cups self rising flour***

2 tsp. vanilla

1 or 2 Tbs. shortening or butter

6 oz. chocolate chips

***If you do not have self rising flour, substitute all purpose flour, 1 Tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. salt.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, butter and vegetable oil in a saucepan over low heat and heat until chips melt.  Stir to blend.  Or you can do this in the microwave 1 minute at a time until chips melt.    Stir in the brown and white sugars and stir. 

Add the eggs and stir.  Add the flour and mix just until well combined.  Stir in the vanilla.

Spray a 9"x13" baking pan with nonstick baking spray.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.   Remove and allow to cool.

Melt the chocolate chips with the tablespoon of shortening or butter and stir.  Drizzle over the cooled bars in the pan.

Cut in bars and serve!