White Chocolate Gingerbread Blondies
Day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookie Series
I know what you're thinking. Today's cookie looks very unassuming. And yes, you would be right. But I'm gonna trot out that old cliche about how looks can be deceiving and in this case, it's absolutely true. What you see here is a slab of brown cookie, rather flat. Decidedly not dynamic on the surface.
Below that upper crust, there is a world of gooey goodness waiting.
These White Chocolate Gingerbread Blondies are like that wonderful, nerdy friend you love. At first, you weren't exactly sure if you would get along. She seemed intimidating and quiet. Maybe a little ho hum, yawn. But then you shared an experience or one drink that lead to another and now, you can't imagine life without her.
This cookie is exactly like that. I want everyone to see just a mundane slab of bar cookie. So that privately after the party, I can scarf all these little babies down on my own.
Blondies are a class of cookie that are like brownies without the chocolate. And fortunately, they are incredibly easy to make. These are chock full of fragrant spices and molasses, which provides that sweet, gooey texture that lies waiting just beyond the slightly chewy edges. There is quite a lot of white chocolate in these as well, which makes them a rich treat that pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee.
I adapted these from a Martha Stewart recipe, because Martha.
When Martha calls, you answer.
A few notes on this recipe:
1. These are supposed to be baked in a foil lined, buttered rimmed baking sheet, but they would work just as well in a 9x12 pan. If you wanted thicker blondies, you could use a smaller pan and adjust for a longer baking time. I think that's probably what I'd want to try next time around.
2. They'll puff up in the oven and then, as soon as you think they might be done (for me it was right around the 23-25 minute mark) and pull them, they'll fall. That's ok. This is supposed to happen. It's what creates that chewy crust and the gooey texture inside. Mine ended up probably between 1/4 inch and a 1/3 inch tall. And every one of those quarter inches is packed with molasses infused awesomeness.
3. Even if you butter the hell out of that foil, these are gonna stick if you try to cut or move them before they cool. Be patient. When they're ready, these cookies will peel off cleanly and without crumbling into disaster.
The best part about these gooey, spicy delights. Easy-peasy.
Assemble, mix, and marvel. Okay, maybe a few more steps than that. But you get the idea. Not a recipe that's going to cause you a moment of stress.
Because it's the holidays. Ain't no room for stress. Only cheer up in here.
Spread, bake, and introduce yourself to the next reason you'll be settling into leggings for the rest of the winter. Don't worry. So worth it.
See you tomorrow, friends for the next day in our holiday baking series. Until then keep it sweet because there's always room for one more cookie. ALWAYS.
White Chocolate Gingerbread Blondies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¼ cups packed light-brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 ¼ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
10oz white chocolate, coarsely chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 17x12in rimmed baking sheet, line with foil and butter the foil as well.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
Beat butter and brown and granulated sugars with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and yolk, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Stir in white chocolate.
Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake until edges are golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 2 in. squares or desired shape.