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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Sweet Saturday: Peanut Butter Mini M&M Blondies (and blog award thanks!)

Happy Saturday, my dear friends! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! :o)

After far too many missed weeks of this little feature, I'm happy to have a Sweet Saturday to share! (And one ready for next week, too! Jackpot!) I cannot believe how little I've been able to play in the kitchen this summer. Since I adore baking for my loved ones, I hope to pick things up a bit to deliver extra smiles. :o)

This week I'm sharing a recipe that my family fell in love with at first bite. It was my first time baking blondies... and certainly not my last! For your sweet enjoyment today: Peanut Butter Mini M&M Blondies!
Oh my, are these ever tasty! I love bar desserts for their ease and portability and these are a new staple in my baking repertoire. They'll make such cute, colorful gifts in handmade treat boxes. Plus, these use mini M&M's! I love the miniature version even more than the original. These blondies are rich without being overwhelming, packing a serious dessert punch without requiring hours in the kitchen... sometimes there just aren't hours to spare. I originally searched for this recipe after my mom and I fell in love with the M&M Blondie Blasts at Starbucks. Homemade versions always taste better and save bucks, so I was determined to find a standout recipe. As it turns out, we gravitated to a peanut butter version instead and love them even more. (And did I mention there are mini M&M's?) I hope you'll give these a whirl because they are sure to delight. :o)

Also, I would like to thank Gloria of Purpleglo Creations for awarding me the Liebster Award! I am so grateful to be receiving this award again, recognizing smaller blogs with less than 200 followers (and spreading crafty love and joy in the process). Gloria is sweet and talented and I hope you will visit her fantastic blog. You will not be disappointed! :o) Thank you, Gloria! Huge hugs for you!

Thank you for visiting! I wish you a sparkling, beautiful day! :o)

Recipe Note: Due to supplies on hand, I used 2½ cups all-purpose flour instead of subbing part of it with whole wheat flour.

Peanut Butter Mini M&M Blondies

Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter
2 cups brown sugar
¾ cup peanut butter
2 cups all purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cups mini M&M's

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ยบ F. Grease a 9x13'' baking pan and set aside.

In a medium-sized pot, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Allow to cool for 10 minutes until mixture is slightly cooled.

In a large bowl, combine the flours, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

Stir eggs and vanilla extract into peanut butter mixture (it may be very thick). Pour peanut butter mixture into flour mixture and combine well. Fold in 1 cup of the mini M&M's.

Pour batter into greased pan. Top with remaining ½ cup of M&M's, lightly pressing the candies into the batter. Bake for 23-25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow blondies to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Source: Itty Bits of Balance


12 comments:

  1. Oh my Karen they sure looks scrumptious...But, I'm not a M & M fan they are too sweet for me....I love peanut butter maybe I can substitute yeah?
    TFS - enjoy your weekend!

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  2. They look yummy Karen, I have noted that recipe down to try sometime with my children - they love baking
    I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend
    Hugs Sue

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  3. Those look delicious, Karen! All of my favorite treats in one! I will definately be making these soon! Thanks for sharing this recipe! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh Karen, Totally delicious yummy yum yum!! xx

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  5. You are going to turn me into a baker yet. Lol. These look too yummy, I am sure my family would love me if I tried these out.. Hoping you have a wonderful weekend .
    Hugs from Ukiah

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  6. AHHHHHHHHHH!!! I LOVE THE MINI M&M's MOST TOO!!!!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEENESSSSSSSS!!!

    *eats my screen* OMJJJJJJ!!! Sunshine! These are SOOOOOO amazing!!! *faints* OMJ! You save me oodles of them, right? I get to have the squares that have the most number of orange M&M's in them, right? TEE HEE HEE! *hugglers you silly in super PB squishies* AHHHHHH!!! They look SOOOOOO incredible. Let's make them all over again right now, ok sis? SQUEEEEEEE!!!

    *drools non-stop* I SO need something peanut buttery now sis. I am craving it something fierce! SQUEEE!

    *dances super happy PB dance* YAY!!!!!!! Bestest blondies EVER!!! GOOOOOOOO SIS!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

    I LOVE YOU MY SWEETEST SIS!!!!!!!

    *forever super happy sweet Saturday PB hugglers*
    ~~~ Christina (the girl who just snuck all the rest of the squares from your kitchen without you knowing) WHEEEEEEEEE!!! :) *giggles*

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  7. These look scrumptious. Wishing there were free samples. I guess I will need to try for myself. Looks like a great snack for after school.

    Stay Creative,
    Georgiana
    Carson's Creations

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  8. Thank you for this yummy recipe!!!You do not know how I love my SWEETS!!!I am trying this one out!TFS
    Migdalia

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  9. Yummy!!! I'll be making these soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Oh my, these look so yummy my sweet friend!! I am the opposite of Shirl, I love M&M's but I don't like peanut butter. I would still devour a plate of these amazing-looking treats!! I hope you are having a fabulous, relaxing weekend!! Thank you so much for entering my giveaway :) I will catch up with you this week to see how things are going!! Big hugs my dear friend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  11. Wow, do these look AMAZING!!! I am so glad I don't have the time to make them because I definitely would eat them ALL. Hehe!!
    I hope you have a wonderful week Karen and hope to be back blogging a little more this week:) Keeping my fingers crossed!

    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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