What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food Plating: M&M Blonde Brownies! I promise I did not make up the name of this dessert. Blonde Brownies have been around as far back as my childhood, and probably longer. I’m of the generation that had some form of dessert after supper, every single day. And it was totally guilt-free. I might also mention, nothing was super-sized back then either. And we played outside until dark. But I digress. Back to the blonde brownies. Basically they are not made with melted chocolate or cocoa powder.  Between the brown sugar and warm butter, the results are a soft, chewy, sweet dessert bar that tastes Yumolicious. Be creative: add chopped walnuts, caramel drizzle, a scoop of ice cream, or white chocolate morsels. Taste the batter and see. You’ll be hooked. 

M&M BLONDE BROWNIES

Ingredients: 

1/3 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

1/2 tablespoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup M&M* candies

Mini chocolate chips, optional

Instructions: 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9”x9” pan with nonstick oil. Set aside. Warm butter over medium heat; do not burn. Add brown sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Whisk thoroughly. Slowly add the butter mixture to the flour mixture. Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Top with M&M candies. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until light brown and a tester comes out clean. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top, if desired. 

*I receive no recompense for mentioning this product.