Better Together: Brownies Love Blondies

Are you a brownie person or a blondie person? How about brownies and blondies at the same time?

These treats are fun and easy to make. You'll need your favorite brownie recipe or mix, and your favorite blondies recipe. I used a Ghiradelli brownie mix, and the blondie recipe I used is at the end of this post. You'll need two heart-shaped cookie cutters, one large, one small. I used a 3" cutter and a 1.5" cutter.

You'll mix the batter as usual, but then bake in a larger-than-called-for pan so that the brownies and blondies will be thin enough to cut out with cookie cutters. For example, the blondies recipe called for a 13" x 9" pan, and I used a 15" x 10" jelly roll pan. The blondies and brownies will cook a little more quickly than listed times since they're thinner.

I recommend that you don't use nuts or chips in the batters. The bumps they create make it more difficult to cut smooth edges. I didn't notice that the brownie mix had miniature chocolate chips in it until I had already opened it, and some of the chips did make for slightly uneven cuts in some places.

When they're done, set the pans on wire racks until brownies and blondies are completely cool. Lift them out of the pan with the parchment paper still attached and start cutting out shapes. I sprayed the cookie cutters lightly with cooking spray.

To make the heart-in-a-heart brownie: cut a large brownie heart, then cut the center of the large heart with the smaller cutter. Set the smaller brownie heart aside. Cut a small blondie heart, and place it carefully into the large brownie. You can also do the reverse: put a small brownie heart into a large blondie. They're moist enough that they stay together well.

For variety, you can leave some of the hearts whole. It makes a nice contrast.

And now for the recipe I promised! These blondies are very rich, moist, and chewy. It's just a bonus that the recipe is easy- it uses packaged baking mix such as Bisquick or Pioneer.

I'm writing the recipe as originally written, but remember to use a larger pan if you're going to cut out shapes.

Baking Mix Blondies

1 and 1/2 cups baking mix

1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar

12 tablespoons (1 and 1/2 sticks) melted butter

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper and spray paper. Let the paper hang over on 2 sides.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Spread batter in prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, or until center is set. Be careful not to over-bake. (Reduce cooking time somewhat if using the larger pan).

The batter reminded me of caramel frosting

Let blondies cool in pan on a cooling rack until completely cool. Using paper overhang, remove blondies from pan and cut into squares (or hearts!).

Blondies recipe adapted from the Dallas Morning News.


Better Together: Brownies Love Blondies may have been taken to some of these fun parties!