Strawberry Blondies

What happens when mom and I get together and have time on our hands?

Dessert.
Dessert is what happens.

We can't help ourselves.

She is as equally addicted to cookbooks, cooking magazines and recipes as I am, so we spent some time flipping through my collection and selecting something good to bake. We were both in the mood for something fruity and something in the 'bar' category. This Food Network Magazine recipe did not disappoint! Yum-o.

Strawberry Blondies

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Ingredients:

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for the pan

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup butterscotch chips

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

3 Tbsp strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, pressing it into the corners and up the sides; leave an overhang on 2 sides. Butter the foil.

Put 4 Tbsp butter and the brown sugar in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the butter is melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla. Let cool slightly, then stir in the lightly beaten egg.

In a separate container, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir into the butter mixture. Stir in the butterscotch chips and nuts and spread the batter in the pan. Note: this batter will be thick and gooey. Drop dallops of jam on top and swirl with a knife. Bake until set, 20-25 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes on a rack, then lift the foil and transfer the blondies to the rack to cool completely. Remove the foil and cut into bars.

Make these. You will soon be addicted.