M&M Blondies

Hi everyone! I’m Rachel and I'm back with another sweet treat to share. 

I heard the most awful statement at work the other day. One of my co-workers said that she hates blondies. HATES. I couldn't believe it. 

First, I can't imagine using such a strong word to describe anything classified as a dessert. I hate traffic. I hate waking up in the morning. I hate when my husband says our grocery bill could be less if I didn't bake so much (rude and true, I know). But to hate blondies? What a gross misuse of the word. 

Second, I think it's simply impossible to not like a blondie.  It's a hybrid of a brownie and a cookie. The best of both worlds- what's not to like?! To make a chocolate chip cookie into a thick rich square is a wonderful idea in my opinion. While I wouldn't say that I prefer blondies over a cookie or brownie, I do love a good blondie, as most people should!

The quintessential blondie that you remember from your childhood (a brown sugar cookie base with chocolate chips) has some stiff competition these days. I have seen so many new delicious versions of the blondie floating around the internet. From snickerdoodle blondies to toffee blondies, it's easy to find a new way to impress your family, friends, and co-workers.

Today, I chose to make a recipe that I stumbled upon over the summer. I was drawn to it because it incorporated red and blue m&m's in honor of the Fourth of July, and I'm a sucker for themed food. My hankering for m&m heightens when I see that seasonal bag of autumn colors eyeing me down in the check out line of Target. 

I sent these blondies with my husband to work for his co-workers to enjoy. I sure wasn't going to waste these babies on my team with an anti-blondie energy lurking nearby! My husband normally just tells me that my treats were a hit and leaves it at that. He's not one to give me the lengthy feedback I crave. For these, however, he made a point of sharing a comment made by his boss' boss, "the m&m's were a pleasant, pleasant surprise." This dessert is packed with sweet flavor. The blend of m&m's and semi sweet chocolate chip create pure sugary goodness. Cut these bars as small or as large as you like. They make a lot, so share with a friend (or five), or simply freeze for another time!

M&M Blondies

(from my Mom)

1/2 C butter, melted

11/4 C sugar

3/4 C packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 C flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

1 C M & M's, autumn themed

1 C semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and coat with baking spray

Beat butter and sugars in mixing bowl until fluffy

Add in eggs and vanilla

Slowly add in flour and salt until blended

Mix in chips and M & M

Spread batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown

Cool and remove from pan by lifting up the foil