Blondies
Posted: 08/27/2013 | Author: Mama's Gotta Bake | Filed under: chocolate, cookies, desserts, recipes, snacks | Tags: baking, bar cookies, bars, blondies, chocolate shortbread, cookies, recipes |52 CommentsSo, you’ve been invited to a Labor Day barbecue this weekend. That’s so nice. And the hostess asked if you would bring dessert, but you’re a little baffled right now because you can’t come up with something that’s sorta easy to make but tastes really good, huh? Well, Mama has a suggestion that you might like. It involves all the things I hold dear in life, which is chocolate, brown sugar, coconut and salted nuts. Yes I know, all rolled up into one!
I just can’t get enough of these Blondie Bars, each layer of these bars is delish on their own. You’ve got your chocolate shortbread crust, your creamy sweet Blondie layer, and then it’s all topped off by a chewy coconut macaroon topping. Now how good does this sound?
Your going to line your pan with foil so that when the Blondie’s have finished cooling in the pan, you can lift them out using the edges of the foil so that you can cut them into professional looking bars. To get extra clean cuts, I chilled mine for about 4 hours before cutting.
Blondies
From Better Homes & Gardens
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 2/3 cups unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup salted cashews, roughly chopped
Coconut Topping
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 3 lightly beaten egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
The Crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with foil that’s been sprayed with cooking spray, having the edges extend over the sides about 2 inches so that you’ll be able to lift the finished bars easily from the pan. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the sugar and the cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Using your thumbs and forefinger, cut in 1 cup of the butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Then mix in the mini chips. Press the mixture evenly into the foil-lined baking dish and bake for 8 minutes until set.
Coconut Topping: Whisk the 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 flour together in a medium bowl. Add the 1 1/4 cups of flaked coconut and toss with your hands coating the coconut with the flour/sugar mixture. Stir in the egg whites and the vanilla until everything is incorporated. Then set aside.
Next, in a medium saucepan, add the brown sugar and 2/3 cup of butter, and over medium heat, stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Add the eggs one a a time stirring with a wooden spoon after each addition until combined. Stir in the vanilla. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of flour, the baking power and baking soda. Stir in the nuts. Pour the batter over the crust using a small offset spatula to make it smooth and even. Spoon the coconut topping into small mounds on top of the batter, carefully spreading it to the edges of the pan. Bake for 32-34 minutes until topping starts to lightly brown. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
When cool, using the edges of the foil, lift the Blondies out of the pan and cut into bars.
Makes 24 – 2″ square bars
Mama’s Tips:
I kept these bars in the fridge to chill and they took on the consistency of candy bars as opposed to a brownie bar. They were quite good.
You don’t necessarily have to cut these bars into 2″ squares, get creative. I cut some of them into 1″ x 3″ bars and others into 1″ squares for a bite-size party treat. To get a good, clean cut with your knife, make sure you chill these first. Use a ruler when measuring these out so all the bars are the same size.
Yummy!
As usual, you’ve got me drooling.
That’s just what a food blogger wants to hear!
Lordy! Those look good AND pretty easy! Thanks!
Oh my word, these look PHENOMENAL!
Wow! These look scrumptious! Great pics, as usual. 🙂
Thanks Clover!
Chocolate and coconut…! What a perfect combination! Your blondes are mouthwatering and so easy to make!
really nice receipe !
Oye, these look amazing!!!
these look super awesome!
Those look miraculous. I am in awe.
Janet, that’s a great adjective to describe these particular treats!
These look awesome Sheryl! Can I have a glass of milk with that? 😉
You know what? I just LOVE blondies… These are perfect! I’ll give them a try soon. Thanxs, beautie!
Bss
Me too Rosa!
I’m so having these for breakfast! Don’t judge me 🙂
Amelie, I never judge…
Such beautiful photography as always. Stunning, tasty looking morsels and the perfect answer to the long weekend!!! If only I had one now, but I’m sure that can be easily remedied 😉
I really enjoy reading your blogs. It makes me want to bake everything you’ve baked which isn’t great for the hips! Looks like I’ll forever be running so that I can continue to bake!
The photos are fabulous as usual, and those blondies – OMG they look absolutely perfect. I like blondies so much better than brownies and these look simply delectable! YUM!
Sheryl, these look sooo good. Great photos. The recipe is simple enough even I can do this one. 🙂
Yes Richard, you certainly can!
I’m having a beer and whiskey tasting party for labor day, I would be pleased if someone brought these babies!!
these look amazing! I might need to come up with my own celebration just to have an excuse to bake them 😉
That’s very funny! No celebration needed!
How wonderful that one doesn’t have to decide what flavor to choose! Those look great.
I know Michelle, you’re so right!
Your suggestion of using a ruler to measure/cut these is very smart. Can you imagine the fights if someone got a bigger piece? That’s exactly what would happen.
Yes, you’re right. Mayhem would break out, so using a ruler will keep the peace! LOL!
Love blondies, and these look fabulous! Will have to give them a try for sure!
These look so delicious! Love the combination of chocolate and coconut.
OMG! These are to die for!!! I am salivating right now…
Gota try as soon as possible. This is an absolute must.
Delicious. Am passing this on to my niece — she loves to bake.
Wow! This looks delicious!
x
Nina
Reblogged this on Of Ink and Coffee and commented:
These would be an excellent way to break in my newly improved kitchen. Chocolate, nuts and coconut! My favorite!
These look so amazing–I’m going to try them now! Thanks for sharing! Happy Nesting.
Looks divine!
Happy Labor Day and what a way to celebrate than to eat these delicious looking treats ??
Yum!!!
You’re killin’ me with these Sheryl. Sweet death is mine!
LOL Brooks, that’s the idea!
These look delicious!!
They look amazing! I really must try them! Thanks for posting it.
These look so yummy. I love coconut.
Wow! These look fantastic…love your photos! So glad to have stumbled on your blog 🙂
So glad you stumbled here too…as I stumbled to your blog and was mesmerized by your photos and life in Finland. What a beautiful family you have.
yummm…
following your blog now. 🙂
Thanks Geraldine!
Wow. You have been busy. Such fabulous photos. Sorry I haven’t been by for a while. MGB has not been showing up in my reader. I am now going through my blog roll one-by-one.
Well Janet, I’m glad you’re back!