Hype-R
I’m not one for hype usually. And the Magnolia Bakery in NY sure gets a lot of hype. All over some cupcakes, that you wait in line for and can only buy 12 at a time. Out of curiosity I bought the More from Magnolia Bakery cookbook a few years back to try out their vanilla cupcake recipe. It is my favorite by far. So to me it was worth the hype. I bought the first Magnolia Cookbook and last week At Home with Magnolia came out and I made sure to buy that. Now I hadn’t seen it because I ordered off Amazon, like the majority of my cookbooks, and I didn’t know what it would be about. I must admit that I am a little sad because there is only a small section on desserts, which of course I am all about. But overall it looks like a good cookbook and my first treat from it was well received by my husband. The recipe calls for peanut butter chips, which I was out of but will most definitely buy for the next time I make these. I used chocolate chips instead.
Peanut Butter Blondies with White Chocolate and Pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup chocolate chips*
1/2 cup coarsely chopped white chocolate
Preheat oven to 325F.
Grease and lightly flour and 8 inch square baking pan.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter with the peanut butter and the sugars until smoothm about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Stir in the pecans, chocolate chips and the white chocolate, reserving 2 TBSP of each.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved pecans, chips and white chocolate evenly over the top and, using a spatula, gently press into the batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted comes out clean with moist crumbs attached.
Do not overbake. Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting and serving.
*the original recipe calls for peanut butter chips and I didn’t have any so I used chocolate chips instead.
Source: At Home with Magnolia: Classic American Recipes from the Owner of Magnoila Bakery by Allysa Torey 2006
October 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I just put that book on my wish list! Your pictures rock!
October 22nd, 2006 at 4:47 pm
They look delightful, and they are some gorgeous photos!
October 22nd, 2006 at 5:53 pm
I have been trying to find a good blondie recipe for a long time…these look delicious.
October 22nd, 2006 at 6:46 pm
Yet another baking sensation! Looks delicious! Glad to hear the Magnolia thing is worth all the hype, so many times it isn’t.
October 22nd, 2006 at 11:49 pm
PB & chocolate - one of my favorite combinations. Yummy!
October 23rd, 2006 at 6:17 am
I have to say, I make more brownies than blondies, but these make me want to change my ways!
October 23rd, 2006 at 6:25 am
Those look delish!
October 23rd, 2006 at 7:16 am
I’ve heard mention about the Magnolia Bakery but never got as far as purchasing the book. But if you say it’s worth the hype, then I’m certain it is! I mean, how much farther can a cupcake go? Apparently MB knows how!
Thanks for dropping by…I’ve been on a serious shrimp quest lately!
October 23rd, 2006 at 9:53 am
Peanut butter chips seem better in this recipe, but hey, your blondies still look wonderful!
Peabody, I’ve just made your Devil Food Cake, it turns out GREAT! I’m going to tell Saffron and Pepper (from Italy) since who has asked me about a recipe also. Peabody, thanks for sharing!
October 23rd, 2006 at 4:32 pm
These look nice! All these pecan nuts with the chocolate. How can one resist! I have to try them!
October 24th, 2006 at 12:56 am
Your pictures are making me feel faint! YUM! I have never had Magnolia cupcakes but there is a store that just opened here that sells Magnolia-like cupcakes and they are pretty good…have been thinking about that book, nice to hear a good review
Gads, too much stuff on my to-buy list!
October 24th, 2006 at 1:28 am
Next time (after you go grocery shopping) try using both chocolate chips and peanut butter chips — you get the best of both!
October 24th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Delicious! Really mouth-watering…
Oh, wish there was a magnolia bakery - and peanut butter chips! - over here!! =) yum yum yum
October 24th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
They look great but Magnolia’s products (in person) are icky! I was scared to use the book, but if you like it, I might give it another shot!
October 24th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
These look amazing. I’m in a very brownie-blondie headspace right now…
j
October 24th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Wow! delicious & creative food on a platter! All your pictures are Superb!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
[…] So far, I’ve only found one recipe I really want to try out: “Peanut Butter Blondies with White Chocolate and Pecans”. […]