Blondies

 

 

Matt Lechler's graduation from the Ohio State University today.

 

 

I made these blondies many times when I was first married many years ago.  I just recently saw Barefoot Contessa bake a tray of these and while I am not a fan of chocolate, I thought I could do a little different combination and it worked! Here is her recipe with my minor changes.

Blond Brownies, Chocolate Chunk Blondies--whatever you call them, they are brownies of a lighter shade... (of color.)

                                                      

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks, such as Nestle's

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 12 x 2 inch baking pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well, scraping down the bowl. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and with the mixer still on low, slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture. Fold the walnuts and chocolate chunks in with a rubber spatula.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes exactly. Don't overbake! A toothpick may not come out clean. Cool completely in the pan and cut into squares, the size of your choice. I made these today and they are delicious with a mix of peanut butter and milk chocolate chips along with a package of butterscotch chips and pecans instead of walnuts. Yum! This is a really good recipe--tried and true.

 

                                                                      

 

 

 

I am going to start a household hint (section) with each entry.  This one is the wonders of white vinegar.

 

For years now I have replaced fabric softener with cheap white vinegar. The only reason clothes get “hard” is too much detergent. Vinegar helps to dissolve soap residue leaving clothes naturally soft.
Fabric softener is some petrochemical slime that coats textiles making them feel “soft”. But if you notice it also decreases the absorbency of textiles like towels you really have to rub  to get a plate dry and it's never bone dry.
Fill the fabric softener tray of your washing machine with 1/2 cup of vinegar  and your clothes and machine will last for a long time. Also, use it in every load of your dishwashers.