I have two kids and there’s always an abundance of chocolate candy in my home after a holiday. This is by no means a complaint; I’m human and I love having it around!
But there is such a thing as too much, and when I find myself with a bounty of leftover candy, I like to make this blondie recipe. It’s versatile, accommodates add-ins, and is always delicious, and it's a great way to use up leftover chocolate snacks in the pantry.
Some of the most-loved blondie batches in my house were made with the following add-ins:
Candy-coated chocolates - Tasty, easy to work with, yet often overlooked for baking. Blondies, cookies, cakes — candy-coated chocolates are flexible and the perfect companion for all of them.
Sandwich cookies - You read that right, they’re incredible in this recipe! Stick a sleeve or two of your favorites into a plastic bag, smash them up good, and add them to the batter.
Nuts - Go nuts! Literally. Pecans and walnuts are delicious. I once poured half a jar of honey roasted peanuts into a batch and it was an utter delight.
Chocolate chips - A classic that never lets you down. Instead of measuring out portions, I prefer to add the whole 12 oz. bag. There’s no such thing as “too much chocolate” with this recipe.
Peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, mini candy bars, kisses, and peanut butter chocolate candies — they all work. This is a sturdy batter that’s not overly sweet, so don’t be afraid to use what you have and experiment with portions.
The final product is just as versatile. Extreme weeks call for extreme sweets and adding a bar to a bowl of ice cream, along with a healthy spoonful of creamy peanut butter, is my favorite way to let it go.
Chewy Blondies loaded with your favorite add-ins
Ingredients:
- 11/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 11/2 cups light brown sugar
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups of your favorite add-ins
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with vegetable oil spray.
Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
In a standing mixer or large bowl, mix the brown sugar and butter until combined. Add in the eggs and vanilla, then add the flour mixture and mix until it’s a well-combined batter. Stir in your favorite add-ins.
Scrape the batter into the pan and bake until the top is a golden brown, and a toothpick in the middle comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let them cool for at least an hour before removing from the pan and cutting into squares.
