Easy Holiday Blondies Recipe

Have you blown through all your Halloween candy yet? Considering the week we’re going through (#Election2020), I’m surprised there are still some pieces left in my candy bowl. 

Grab what candy you have—or pick-up your favorites in the grocery check-out line—and bake a batch of these Holiday Blondies. This cookie bar/brownie hybrid recipe was inspired by one featured on the Mystery Lovers Kitchen website. However, I think this dessert will be useful for any holiday considering how candy companies create goodies to fit the seasons. 

This recipe is easy to put together and one the kids will devour. There are even healthy elements to it (oatmeal, peanut butter, dried cranberries, nuts) to help balance the candy sweetness.

I will serve Holiday Blondies alongside the pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving. And, since the normal holiday gatherings will be somewhat limited this year, I also plan to give pans of these tasty treats as gifts. 

Yield: 18-24 depending on size

Author: Linda Ditch

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Holiday Blondies

Use holiday candies to create a tasty sweet treat for any season.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups candy (chopped bars or individual pieces, such as M&Ms)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or nut of choice)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and oatmeal. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, measure out the candy pieces, cranberries, and chopped pecans. Set aside.
4. Put the butter and sugars into a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer, cream the ingredients together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Then pour in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Fold in the candy-cranberry-nut mixture.
6. Spoon the batter into the baking dish. It is quite stiff, so spray the back of a spatula or large spoon with non-stick spray to help you spread the mixture evenly throughout the pan. Sprinkle the top with extra candy pieces and nuts, if desired, pressing them into the batter.
7. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are brown. Cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Notes:

Created using The Recipes Generator