Walnut Blondies with Dark Chocolate Roots

Baking was my first love. From the moment I saw the Easy Bake Oven, there was no turning back. I wanted to bake decadent treats for those I loved, even if they came in powdered form with “just add water” scribbled across the package. With Betty Crocker and my mom by my side, I baked for all occasions and family get togethers. I remember the day I discovered brownies from scratch. We were at my mom’s friend’s house for a pool party. She made homemade brownies using the recipe on the back of a Bakers Chocolate box. I begged my mom to go grocery shopping so I could try it for myself.Homemade Walnut Blondies with White and Dark Chocolate ChipsI’ve never made blondies before so this was a compilation of several recipes I studied. First things first, preheat your oven to 350 and spray a 8×8 glass baking dish with no stick spray with flour (I use Pam).Gather your ingredients. You will need 1 stick of butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, cinnamon, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips and 1/2 cup walnuts. Let’s get cooking.In a large bowl whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. I do this by hand. The goal is to integrate and get rid of clumps.Over a medium heat melt 1 stick of butter. Your house will smell beautiful.Allow the butter to cool for 2 minutes and add it to bowl with brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth. I use a hand mixer for this because I do not have the arm strength to do this by hand.Whisk in eggs and vanilla until fluffy and delicious looking.Stir in dry ingredients.Fold in white and dark chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the nuts. Pour into baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and bake about 25 min. Test by inserting a knife in the center. When it comes out clean it is done.Let rest about 20 minutes before cutting.Serve with vanilla ice cream and blackberries if you are inclined. I am inclined.

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (four, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg) and set aside.
2. Melt butter over a medium heat in a sauce pan. Let cool for 2 minutes
3. Add butter to brown sugar. Whisk with a hand mixer until smooth.
4. Whisk in eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy.
5. Stir in dry ingredients.
6. Stir in white and dark chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of walnuts.
7. Pour into baking dish and top with 1/4 cup walnuts.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes and allow to cool for 20.
9. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

So rich and fantastic. I thought I would want 2 of these but one was enough. That is the beauty of using real ingredients.  The end result is decadent and satisfying.

Baking Dreams,

Nora