Strawberry Cake Batter Blondies

Sorry about the picture overload, but I could not get over how cute these Blondies were! I made Cake Batter Bars over the summer (excuse those TERRIBLE pictures) and they were honestly one of the greatest desserts I've ever tasted. I am OBSESSED with Funfetti and Cake Batter desserts (see here for more), so making an ooey, gooey cake batter pastry always sounds like a good idea to me.

I was itching to make a Valentine's Day themed dessert and I immediately thought about what I could make with strawberry cake mix. I LOVE strawberry cake, but I don't think it ever gets the glory it deserves. All too often, strawberry cake mix is left behind on the shelf in favor of chocolate or yellow. I decided to change all this. Your time has come strawberry cake. You deserve it.

I wasn't in the mood to whip up a traditional cake, though, and my mind was being drawn to Sally's Baking Addiction's Cake Batter Blondies. While I didn't use her recipe when I originally made my Cake Batter Bars, I knew I wanted to try it because I am obsessed with her blog! I mean, first of all, the layout is adorable and secondly, every single one of her recipes leave me salivating. She is a baking genius I tell you!

These treats are simply to die for. They have a similar texture to my Chocolate Chunk Blondies in that they are almost buttery and melt in your mouth. They are moist (everyone loves that word, right?) with the perfect strawberry flavor. Plus, you get a little crunch and vanilla-y love with the white chocolate chips. While I didn't add any sprinkles into my mix, you certainly could! I do recommend garnishing yours with these cute little heart sprinkles I found at Target to get in the Valentine's spirit.

So, whether you'll be celebrating with that special someone or alone eating chocolate and watching "He's Just Not That Into You" (guilty of the latter), you should add these Strawberry Cake Batter Blondies to your February 14th plans. I promise they'll be the perfect date. Enjoy!

Strawberry Cake Batter Blondies
Recipe slightly adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3-1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips + 1/2 cup for drizzling (if you desire)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 11x7 inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl. Add the milk slowly. You want the cake batter to be as dense & thick possible. Mix in the white chocolate chips.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are just turning brown. 
4. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes so the center sets, then melt your white chocolate chips (I used the microwave) and drizzle them on top of the bars, if you choose. Once the bars and the melted chocolate have cooled, cut your blondies using a serrated knife. 

***The blondies will look like they are not fully done because the center will be quite gooey, but that's what you want! After about 30 minutes of cooling, they will be easy to cut using a serrated knife.

I've linked this post up over at ZentMrs & The Mr, Inside BruCrew Life, Hungry Little Girl, Buns in My Oven, Semi Homemade Mom

Chocolate Chunk Blondies

As you all know, I compiled quite the list of cookie recipes over Christmas break. I even made a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to cookies. When I saw these Chocolate Chunk Blondies over on Shutterbean, I knew I had to add them to "To Bake" List.

Last week, before I left for school, my mom and I went to a mother/daughter cookie exchange with the same ladies who attended the wine exchange! It was nice that all the daughters of the wine lovers were able to get together too (hehe) :)

We had such a nice time. It was fun to have a cookie party after the rush of the holidays. It gave us all something to look forward to since it always seems that the holidays go so quickly, and it gave us all a chance to recap on our festivities!

These chocolate chunk blondies were seriously incredible. Like, melt in your mouth good. They are packed with brown sugar, and when they bake, the aroma is simply heavenly. It's a major sugar high.

I underbaked mine slightly so they'd be slightly more doughy and gooey, and boy, was it a good choice. These blondies are so buttery and rich, and simply decadent. I ended up making two batches in two days because they were so good. I brought them back to share with my roommates, and we've already devoured them (and my roommate, Morgan, requested more for her birthday!)

With rave reviews like these, I think it's only right that you bake these ASAP. Enjoy!

Chocolate Chunk Blondies
Recipe from Shutterbean (slightly adapted from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust)

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts*
• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips**

*Note: I omitted the walnuts because I was bringing these to a party and was wary of potential nut allergies (and selfishly I prefer nut-less desserts)

**I used milk chocolate chips because it was what I had on hand! Worked like a charm.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8x12x2 inch baking pan. (I used an 13x9 inch pan and lined it with parchment paper that I greased to make the bars easier to remove. I'd definitely suggest it!).
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well, scraping down the bowl.
3. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Fold the walnuts and chocolate chips in with a rubber spatula.
4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes exactly (I baked mine for 26 minutes based on the pan size and my love for underbaked cookies). Don't overbake! A toothpick may not come out clean. Cool completely in the pan and cut into bars.

***I've linked up this recipe at Chef-in-Training, Hungry Little Girl, Buns in My Oven, Inside BruCrew Life, Semi Homemade Mom, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Recipes For My Boys, Taste and Tell, I Heart Nap Time & Food Done Light

Twix Blondies

You know what is pure evil? The strategic placement of candy bars next to the checkout lines at the grocery stores/Target/everywhere. Seriously. There's nothing harder than resisting the impulsive urge to purchase and devour a Peanut Butter Snickers or a Milky Way, just to name a phew. I hope many of you are nodding in agreement...cause it's tough.

Sometimes, life demands that we consume candy bars. We all know it's true. I mean, there is often no better medication than chocolate. Can't deny that.

So, I present to you Twix Blondies. Thanks to this recipe from Cookies and Cups, you can indulge in nearly 40 mini Twix at once (well, in one pan). These are a perfect blend of caramel, chocolate, and buttery, blondie goodness and will therefore satisfy all your sweet cravings.

Do yourself a favor this week and pick up 2 bags of mini Twix, chop 'um up, and make these blondies. Indulge and savor this chocolatey, caramel goodness.


Twix Blondies
Recipe from Cookies and Cups

• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. coarse sea salt
• 30 mini Twix bars coarsely chopped + 9 mini Twix bars (reserved for garnish) more finely chopped 
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup melted chocolate chips for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9 baking pan.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking together.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla on low speed until smooth.
4. Add eggs one at a time, continuing on low speed.
5. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined.
6. Add the coarsely chopped Twix and chocolate chips, stirring in with a wooden spoon.
7. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake approximately 25-30 minutes until they are set. Toothpick will come out slightly gooey. Be careful not to overcook.
8. When removed from oven, sprinkle reserved Twix on top and drizzle with melted chocolate.
9. Cool in pan for 2-3 hours or overnight. Don't cut the bars until they are completely cooled or you'll have a big mess!