A Real Crowd Pleaser

Once in a while I come across a recipe that is clearly a “keeper,"  a recipe that you just know everyone will love and a recipe you make over and over again for all kinds of occasions.  Chocolate Chunk Almond Blondies is just that kind of recipe.

I mentioned to a co-worker that I was thinking of blogging about Chocolate Chunk Almond Blondies.  She was so excited she immediately sat down in my office and proceeded to tell me that she had introduced her daughter to this recipe and how it has become her daughters “go-to” recipe.  The first time her daughter made these bars she brought them as a treat for her twin daughters’ soccer team and they were devoured in a matter of minutes.  From that point forward she has made these whenever she has been asked to bring a treat to an event, party, celebration, etc.  She describes them as a “real crowd pleaser.”  Now that’s a recipe recommendation I just couldn’t ignore, so let’s give them a try.

Fair warning, this is a recipe which requires a few “special purchases” for me and likely will for you too.  The next time you are at the grocery store pick up a bag of chocolate chunk baking chips (these are right next to chocolate chips but, are larger chunks of chocolate), English milk chocolate toffee bits (also near the chocolate chips) and butter toffee or honey glazed sliced almonds (look for these near the chocolates chips, nuts or once in a while they are near the bagged salads in the produce department).

These bars are a one bowl recipe and easy to make.  Start by heating the oven to 375°F.  In a large bowl combine the brown sugar, butter, and sugar.

Beat until well mixed and creamy.

Add the eggs, corn syrup and vanilla.  Continue beating until well mixed.

Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt until well mixed.

Now it’s time to add the goodies.  Here is a photo of the three ingredients that make these bars so delicious: English milk chocolate toffee bits, chocolate chunk baking chips and butter toffee sliced almonds.

By hand stir in the chocolate chunks and ½ cup of the toffee bits (the remaining ½ cup of the toffee bits and the almonds will be sprinkled on top later).

Spread the batter into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan.

First sprinkle the almonds over the batter.

Then sprinkle the toffee bits.

Press the almonds and toffee bits down slightly into the batter.  I used a spatula to do this.

Bake the bars for 23 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (no batter clinging to the toothpick but, there may be some chocolate).

Cool the bars completely before cutting.  Then, watch out, they’ll go fast!

Do you have a “keeper” recipe?  I’d love to hear about it.  Let me know what you think about Chocolate Chunk Almond Blondies by rating and reviewing this recipe.

Need a really BIG sandwich for the big game?  Check out Amanda’s new recipe on Thursday.

Becky Wahlund is the Director of the Test Kitchen for Land O'Lakes and writes for our Recipe Buzz® Blog