Tuesday, November 2, 2010

TWD - Peanuttiest Blondies


This isn't a nice way to begin, but I'm not a huge blondie fan. You have to add large amounts of something I like for me to get enthused about them. So I was a bit ambivalent when the November Tuesday with Dorie recipes were announced. Or maybe my ambivalence was because I learned what the recipes while we were here


...and knowing I would be home and not eating macarons (and having so many Deep Discussions about favorite ones) by the time I made them. I was going to make them Sunday, but I was having too much fun reconnecting with some of my Twitter buddies and one of them give me excellent advice on sourdough starters (thanks, Di!)

Monday morning, I woke up and I WANTED to bake. And it occurred to me, I'd missed my peeps. My dear coworkers, who eat anything and everything I bring in, regardless of how presentable or tasty it is (or isn't). I missed them. And though I wasn't exactly bubbling with joy about going back to work, I missed having an enthusiastic group of people who like eating what I bake.

None of this really matters. What does matter is that Nicole of Bakologie picked these blondies, and they were what helped me get my baking groove back. They were simple (except can I tell you how much I dislike chopping nuts that roll around? It's a lot.) Dorie's instructions were perfect as usual (does anyone else miss Dorie's careful, detailed instructions when baking other cookbooks?) A few observations:
  • I have a gigantic jar of smooth peanut butter from Costco so I used that instead of chunky. I added a few more chopped peanuts to compensate.
  • I recently came into a windfall of chocolate related to a future promotion (you're going to want to check back in a few weeks for that one), so I used some milk chocolate chips from my stash.
  • Dorie says to bake these in a pan lined with foil, which you butter, and I resisted the urge to use parchment instead, which doesn't require buttering. This would be the perfect use for nonstick foil (I used heavy duty, since the foil also acts as a sling). You want the foil to extend far enough over the sides for you to lift the blondies out.
  • Cut these into tiny bars as they are very rich. That won't stop some people from taking two, but one really is enough. Unless you're coming back to work after a two week vacation. Then it's OK to have two.
They were good! Not as good as my favorite brown butter blondies, but definitely not the usual boring blondie. I would make these again, happily, and maybe even do some substitutions to make it interesting.

Thanks, Nicole, for a tasty and easy pick. If you'd like the recipe, Nicole has it for you here.

18 comments:

Hindy said...

I often find that I need to bake. I just wish I hadn't needed to bake these twice. ::g::
Glad yours were enjoyed. Will there be more holiday photos?

Pamela said...

Welcome back!! Isn't it funny how we get the urge to bake like that? I feel that way often and just can't stop myself from baking, even though I know I probably won't be eating any of the goods. It feels good to share, though.

I used creamy PB, too. I cut these way smaller than recommended in the recipe, and there was just more to share. Can't wait to hear about how you came into all that chocolate!! :o)

Leslie said...

Clivia, that was the best photo of the lot! We were so focused on relaxing that taking photos didn't happen. :-)

Peggy said...

So glad you are back. Your brownies look wonderful. I can't believe you aren't a blond brownie lover. They are my favorite. I also used creamy PB.

Di said...

Welcome back, and I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation! I take baked goods to work for the same reason--it's so nice to be appreciated, especially when work is stressful. =)

Mimi said...

Although I love peanut butter, I still haven't made these,(no floor in my kitchen this past week). Since the reviews have been mixed I think I'll just wait on these.
I my mind, Dorie's books are truly cookbooks instructing you how to do it, many cookbooks are really recipe books, just a collection of recipes, nothing more.
Mimi

Tia said...

they look yummy! chunky and delicious.
Buttercreambarbie

Anonymous said...

ahh i remember back in the day when i had NO CLUE what a blondie was. oh those were the days!

but i don't miss them, because then these wouldn't be in my life. yours look fantastic!

Cakelaw said...

So glad that you liked these! I know what you mean about the co-workers - I made these while at the family home with no-one but my brother, who hurled one into the garden in a temper about something else and never ate anymore.

Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...

For a minute, I thought it was just something you had against blonds...LOL

They look delicious!

Unknown said...

Welcome back Leslie :) So glad your Paris trip was relaxing and enjoyable. I'm still trying to convince Shane to take me...

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's kind of "eh" on blondies. They just don't do it for me. I thought these were ok (the choc/pb combo helped) but I'd still take a cookie any day.

Anonymous said...

They look fantastic, so you are obviously back in your baking groove.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like chopping nuts! I also don't like buttering foil - I sprayed it with cooking spray and that worked well.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I always thought Blondies were a second to Brownies but no more. These are hearty and hold their own.

I do miss the chocolate though. What kind of chocolate lovers would we be, if blondies equaled brownies?

lola said...

Your blondie looks good, but your vacation looks better. I am sure you had a wonderful adventure.

margot said...

Welcome back, glad you enjoyed your vacation and the macarons. That looks like a nice, chunky blondie. I have not found a go-to blondie recipe; these were good, but not a huge favorite here.

Kayte said...

Yikes, I forgot to start my starter. I better get on that today, thanks for the reminder. Your blondies look great...guys here loved them as you probably figured...well, the ones who eat peanut butter that is. Son't tell anyone, I made a little corner with NO chocolate in it so I could have as I LOVE peanut butter...yum. Happy to have you back, you were missed. Quite a lot.

Katrina said...

I'd pick your macarons and vacation over these blondies myself! Sigh. But that blondie there does look great.

Hanaâ said...

Welcome back! Those blondies look good, even though they contain a "lethal" ingredient: peanuts! Ha ha (no pun intended).