Banana Blondies with Mini Peanut Butter Cups

You know what's nuts? You can prepare one batch of blondie mix, split it in two, add different things to each batch, and you might not even be able to tell that they are related! This is what happened to me last night. With half of the batch, I added toffee bits. The bar was chewy like a cookie. To the second batch, I added smashed banana and mini peanut butter cups and the bar was cake-like. Goes to show how versitile this dessert bar is.

Kinda like having kids, I guess.

Anyway, like I said above, these blondies are more cakelike than your traditional blondie (the expert that I am, having made my first ones last night). Not that a fork is required. Though a glass of milk might be. The banana flavor is clearly there, but the best bites are those where you get a mini peanut butter cup. Completely great.

Basic Blondies

Source: Baking Blonde

Yield: 16 bars

6-7 Tbsp butter, melted (I used 6)

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking powder (optional, creates lighter blondie texture)

Ellen's additions:

1 1/2 ripe bananas, smashed
3/4 cup mini peanut butter cups (I used Trader Joe's)

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with PAM.In a large microwave safe mixing bowl melt the butter. Allow to cool for 5 mintues. Mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour and baking powder (if using). Mix in any additions (some ideas below). Pour into prepared pan and use a greased spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set in the middle. (I baked for 22 minutes) Cool on rack before cutting.

* I doubled the basic recipe before splitting it in two and adding my additions. I also baked in 9x9 pans, which accounts for a thinner bar.