It’s that time again! Blogger CLUE Group have chosen “Sparkling” as the word for January. I was given Anna Dishes as my assignment. Anna hails from Jacksonville Beach, Florida where she posts about homemade dishes, restaurants, and floral arrangements. Sparkling is the key word so I looked for that at first – and then I found theses: Maple, Caramel Sea-Salt Blondies. I made it with only one addition – to make it sparkly – and one change – caramel bits instead of cutting up Brach’s caramels and while rich, they were delicious!
Why don’t you take a moment to check out the other blogs who made “sparkly” things for January?
- Sparkly Shortbread Cookies from Lisa of Authentic Suburban Gourmet
- Cherry and Cream Pavlova from Ramona of Curry and Comfort
- Pomegranate Champagne from Christy of Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Rosemary Peach Sparkling Cocktail from Alice of A Mama, Baby and Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- tba from Azmina of Lawyer Loves Lunch
- Maple, Caramel, Golden Sugar Blondies from Kelli of Kelli’s Kitchen
- Strawberry Champagne Cocktail from Stacy of Food Lust People Love
- Milky Way Martini from Aly of Cooking in Stilettos
- Cornish Game Hens with Whisky Herb Citrus Glaze Lea Ann of Cooking on the Ranch
- Peach Buckle from Anna of Anna Dishes
- Potato Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette from Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Lemon-Ginger Crinkle Cookies from Jean of Lemons and Anchovies
- Soft Pretzel Sticks with Spicy Mustard Sauce from Heather of girlichef
- Salted Toffee Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Blood Orange Margaritas from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Mini Cinnamon Rolls from Kate of Kate’s Kitchen
- Brown Butter, Brown Sugar Banana Bread from Christiane of Taking on Magazines
- Cardamom White Chocolate Panna Cotta from Debra of Eliot’s Eats
Instead of sea-salt, I used golden sugar to give it the sparkle called for. We also served them on New Year’s Eve and they went over really well. The only problem is that in the last 4 weeks there has only been 3 days of sunshine so the photos do not portray the deliciousness of the blondies but the recipe does!
Maple, Caramel Golden-Sugar Blondies
Ingredients:
3 Sticks (24 Tablespoons) of melted butter
3 Cups packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
3 Large eggs
2 Tablespoons Vanilla
3 1/2 Cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon regular salt
1 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Caramel Bits
Ingredients for topping
1 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Cups Milk Chocolate Chips
Godiva Golden Coarse Sugar for Topping
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350F
Grease a 9×13 pan
Melt butter in sauce pan on medium heat. Take saucepan off stove and using whisk, add in brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Transfer to a large bowl.
Let it cool just a few minutes and then add in vanilla, maple syrup and then the eggs, one at a time- hand mixing all the time.
Add flour in a little at a time.
Switch to a spoon instead of a whisk and add in the caramel bits and chocolate chips. mix until combined.
Spoon it into the 9×13 pan and bake until golden – about 40 minutes.
Allow to cool.
Put the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it is very hot – small bubbles will appear around the sides of the pan.
Take pan off the heat, add in the chips and stir until smooth and shiny.
Pour oveer blondies, allow to cool for a little time and then sprinkle golden coarse sugar over top.
Allow to cool completely and then cut into squares using a bread knife.
Enjoy!
Ugh Kelly, I feel your pain. I hate when there is no sunlight to make my food look amazing! It happens often where I live. These bars sound absolutely to-die-for though, I’m definitely going to have to test out the recipe!!
Oh, my! These blondies look fantastic! I searched Indy for caramel bits and could not find them anywhere! I’m going to have to hunt for them again I’d love to make these yummy bars!
I can see a little golden sparkle in that last photo! These do sound wonderful and rich. I may try them with the original salt since salted caramel is one of my only sweet weaknesses.
Terrific looking blondies! Hope you liked my post about your Okie Pavlova. 🙂
I am the absolute worst photo taker so I think yours are lovely. I could see the sparkle and all the ooey gooey goodness.
I adore your blondies, they have all the golden glory and flavour no doubt, but can’t believe there is no sugar 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
ml upi!
Oops! Sorry, I meant to write _ Thank you!!
These blondies look so decadent and sparkly! Basically a disaster for my new years healthy eating resolution but well, everyone needs a break from resolutions sometimes right 😉
Oh my gosh – I would have a hard time eating just one! These look divine. Great choice for blogger society!
Oh how I miss taste testing!!! These look amazing!
I’ll have to find caramel bits at my local stores. Love the idea of adding a dash to baked goods for that extra sparkle and sweetness. Happy New Year!
Oh man, these are absolutely irresistible. I love the combo of sweet and salty, and these totally fit that bill!
These sound amazing. I hope Liz finds the caramel bits so I too can make them 🙂
these look so tasty!! I have yet to make my own brownies or blondies like this and this post makes me wanna !! 🙂 Maybe this weekend?? 🙂 Love the touch of the golden sparkles too!
Deliciousness beyond words here, Kelli! Most excellent pick. Loved that the Okie Pavlova got some pub this round too!
What a great blondie! I’m going to have to look for the caramel bits – sounds fantastic.
How fun to have Anna – she is such a bubbly person in person too!
Oh I love the little twists you have on these. This is one of my favorite recipes and I make them often. I found the caramel bits as well after the first time I made them, they do come in so handy and are so much less work. They can be hard to find tho so when I see them I try to buy a few bags, they’re great to have for other sweets too.
Thanks for that Christy! I think you’re pretty sweet and sparkly! 🙂
Hey there, I’m a huge fan of desserts look way awesome! These maple caramel golden sugar blondies so yummy i guess. Thx for sharing Kelly, i’ll try them!
Thx for sharing a recipe, I definitely add these maple caramel golden sugar blondies to my cookbook!
So yummy my mouth fills with water. I love your maple caramel golden sugar blondies.