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Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

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Celebrate summer’s best flavors with these Strawberry Shortcake Cookies. The pretty pink color, delicate texture and airy lightness combine for a cookie that’s as fresh as a summer day.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies Are Pretty as a Picture

I never get enough of summer fruits, and strawberries are probably my favorite. The best part about them is you have to eat them right away. Strawberries rarely keep more than a day or two.

That means you shouldn’t hold back. When you buy them, eat them or cook with them right away. This recipe is a great way to start.

You can never fail when you blend fresh, ripe strawberries and homemade shortcake. If you’ve never made shortcake before, you might be surprised when you see how easy it is to create this light, buttery cake.

Tips for Making Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

  • Never wash strawberries until you’re ready to use them. If you’re not using them right away, take the time to store them properly. Strawberries are highly perishable, and they’re delicate. Handle them with care to ensure fresh, delicious fruit and wonderful baking.
  • Pearl sugar also goes by the names sanding sugar, nib sugar and hail sugar. It is a Swedish specialty sugar that doesn’t melt when you bake it. You can buy it in any good grocery store. You can also make your own. Be sure to make the Swedish version.

What to Serve with Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

These lovely cookies are the perfect end to any meal. They’re also wonderful as a snack. Serve them with Homemade Strawberry Milk for a total taste sensation.

Strawberries are fantastic with sparkling wines. Serve them with a prosecco, a sparkling white zinfandel or a sparkling rose. Enjoy your summer with these wonderful Strawberry Shortcake Cookies.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
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Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Celebrate summer's best flavors with Strawberry Shortcake Cookies. They are the perfect blend of fresh, ripe strawberries and homemade shortcake.

Course Dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  3. Combine strawberries, lemon juice and 2 tbsp sugar.

  4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar in a large bowl.

  5. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter, or rub in with your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  6. Stir in cream until dough just starts to come together, then stir in strawberry mixture. Don't overmix or overwork the dough.

  7. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets, spacing evenly apart. Sprinkle with pearl or sanding sugar, and bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

  8. Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool.

Recipe Notes

Yield: about 30 cookies.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Skillet Monterey Chicken

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You say you don’t have time to cook? Even the busiest person can find the time to throw together this easy, low-cost and finger-licking good Skillet Monterey Chicken.

Skillet Monterey Chicken

You Need This Skillet Monterey Chicken In Your Life

Everyone needs a recipe like this. It’s foolproof, it’s easy enough for anyone to do, it takes only minutes to prepare and it uses everyday ingredients. It uses only one pan, and cleanup is a snap.

It’s also a delicious, soul-satisfying meal nobody can resist. The warm, hearty flavors of bacon and cheese combine to make a mouthwatering mouthful.

When I make this, there are no complaints. There are also no leftovers.

Skillet Monterey Chicken

Skillet Monterey Chicken Is the Answer

We all have those days that get away from us. You didn’t plan anything for dinner, and it’s almost time to eat. You have last-minute guests coming over, and you didn’t have time to shop for them.

With this fast, easy Skillet Monterey Chicken, you can answer the challenge with a no-stress, low-cost meal everyone will enjoy.

Tips for Making Skillet Monterey Chicken

  • Make this even easier with precooked bacon, which is available at most grocery stores. You’ll need to use oil or no-stick cooking spray to brown the chicken.
  • If you don’t have barbecue sauce on hand, you can whip some up yourself. Here’s a homemade BBQ sauce recipe that’s guaranteed to add big flavor to this dish.
  • You can replace the chicken breasts with meaty, lower-priced chicken thighs, but you must increase the cooking time.

What to Serve with Skillet Monterey Chicken

This dish has a slightly Southwestern flair. It will go perfectly with a side dish like this Authentic and Easy Mexican Rice.

You could also add a fresh salad like this Simple Mediterranean Avocado Salad.

For a delicious wine pairing, try a white zinfandel.

Skillet Monterey Chicken
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Skillet Monterey Chicken

Even the busiest person can find the time to throw together this easy, low-cost and finger-licking good Skillet Monterey Chicken.

Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings
Calories 343 kcal
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. To your skillet, add bacon and fry on medium heat until crispy.
  2. Cool bacon on a plate lined with paper towel, then chop up coarsely.
  3. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Cook chicken breasts on medium high heat for 2-3 minutes until browned on each side.
  5. Add Worcestershire sauce to skillet and pour chicken stock over the chicken breasts. Cover skillet and cook 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink inside.
  6. Turn off heat.
  7. Top each chicken breast evenly with bbq sauce, cheese and bacon.

  8. Broil about 1 minute or until the cheese melts.

  9. Top with green onions and tomato.
  10. Enjoy!

Skillet Monterey Chicken

Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

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Create some magic at your next party with this delicious, decadent Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake. This great-looking dessert combines nuts, marshmallows and homemade chocolate ice cream to create a tempting treat.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

Start the Celebration With Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

This Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake says it’s time to celebrate. It’s a showstopper that tastes just like everyone’s favorite ice cream flavor.

Don’t be put off by the idea of making homemade ice cream and the various steps involving in creating this dessert. It’s really not that complicated to make an ice cream cake. You just have to take time to make the three separate parts, freeze each one and then assemble them.

Creamy, Crunchy and Not Complicated

It isn’t complicated, but it takes a little time. You should also clear out some space in your freezer before you start.

Before long, you’ll have a creamy, crunchy cake that is pure, mouth-watering goodness.

Tips for Making Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

  • Almonds are the traditional nuts in rocky road ice cream. However, there are many variations that use walnuts, peanuts or even a mix of nuts.
  • Springform pans are great for preparing deep, no-bake crusts and bases. They create an elegant-looking dessert that’s easy to cut. The BeyondFrosting blog has some great tips for using springform pans this way.

What to Serve with Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

Keep things bright and upbeat with Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts and easy Mortadella Moments.

Kids and adults will enjoy a crisp, refreshing Cranberry Fizz. It’s tangy and not too sweet. It’s a good match for this rich cake. You can set out a bottle of rum or vodka for any adults who want to spike theirs.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake
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Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

Create some magic at your next party with this delicious Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake. It's a creamy, crunchy cake that is pure, mouth-watering goodness.

Course Dessert
Prep Time 30 minutes
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

For the ice cream

For the base

For decoration

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan mix milk and cocoa and warm up, stirring, until completely incorporated. Add cream, condensed milk and vanilla, mix well. Freeze until it thickens slightly.
  2. Coarsely chop peanuts, mix with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and marshmallows.

  3. For the base mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into a springform pan, creating bottom and sides. Freeze for 20-30 minutes.

  4. When the ice cream is thick enough to support mix-ins so they don't sink to the bottom, stir all the mix-ins and transfer to the crumb base. Cover with a plastic wrap and freeze for 6 hours.

  5. For the decoration add mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and butterscotch chips and drizzle with syrup. Return to the freezer. Take out in 10-15 minutes before serving to make slicing easier.

Recipe Notes

Active time 30 minutes + time for cooling and freezing.

Yield: 8 inch cake, 8-10 portions.

Unicorn Jello Parfaits

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When it’s warm outside, nobody wants to bake. That’s when you whip up easy summertime desserts like these colorful, creamy Unicorn Jello Parfaits.

Unicorn Jello Parfaits

Make Any Gathering Sparkle with Unicorn Jello Parfaits

These parfaits look gorgeous. They’ll add color and sparkle to any party for kids or adults. Their light, fruity layers make them perfect for warm weather. You may also want to try another one of our favorite summertime desserts. Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits are easy to make and can be enjoyed without the guilt of eating too many calories or fat grams.

The Joy of Jello

Jello desserts have been around for more than 50 years, and it’s easy to see why they’ve remained popular. Instant gelatin and instant pudding make it easy to make delicious desserts that require no cooking at all. All you need is some hot water and a refrigerator to whip up pies, cheesecakes and layered desserts.

They do require time. It takes a while for all those layers to set. Make them while you’re doing other things around the house. They’ll be done before you know it.

Tips for Making Unicorn Jello Parfaits

  • Once you know the basic recipe, you can substitute the flavors in this recipe with your favorite flavors and colors. Let your creativity flow.
  • Use unicorn horns or unicorn-shaped cupcake toppers to make them really stand out. You can find cute ones on Etsy.
  • When you put the finished parfaits in the refrigerator, cover each one with plastic wrap or foil. This prevents a hard top layer from forming.

What to Serve with Unicorn Jello Parfaits

These recipes will go great with your Unicorn Jello Parfaits.

Grilled Cheeseburger Kebabs are the perfect summer party food. They’re fun for kids to eat, and you can cook them outside to keep your kitchen cool.

Celebrate the freshness of summer with this healthy, no-cook version of Nine Layer Dip served with tortilla chips.

Unicorn Jello Parfaits
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Unicorn Jello Parfaits

When it's warm outside, nobody wants to bake. That's when you whip up easy summertime desserts like these colorful, creamy Unicorn Jello Parfaits.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Using a medium bowl, pour the grape package of jello and 3/4 cup of boiling water into the bowl. Whisk until all sugar is dissolved.

  2. Place bowl into the fridge for 30 minutes or until cooled to room temperature.

  3. Remove from fridge and whisk in 1/4 cup coffee creamer and 1/2 cup yogurt until smooth.

  4. Spoon jello mixture into each glass about 1/4 full.

  5. Place glass into fridge for 30 minutes or until the jello is firm to touch and no residue is on fingers.

  6. Repeat steps with remaining jello packages starting with the blue raspberry, then the lime and then ending with the watermelon.

  7. Once all jello flavors are in the glasses, place into fridge overnight.

  8. Remove from fridge the next day and top with whipped cream, sprinkles and the lollipop.

  9. Enjoy!

Unicorn Jello Parfaits

Homemade Buttermilk Pie Recipe

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You won’t believe how easy it is to make a dessert that tastes like rich custard but doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or techniques. Buttermilk Pie is incredibly easy to make, and it melts in your mouth with sweet, creamy goodness.

Buttermilk Pie

Enjoy the Tasty Tradition of Buttermilk Pie

Rich, creamy Buttermilk Pie is a staple of Southern cuisine, and this recipe pays respect to tradition. You might see variations of this pie, but if you want the authentic item, it’s right here.

Like Pecan Pie and Chess Pie, this a treat Southerners make and serve all year. You don’t have to wait for a specific holiday or a special occasion to indulge in this classic favorite.

Tips for Making Buttermilk Pie

  • You can make your own pie crust for this recipe. It’s also fine to use a frozen or refrigerated crust.
  • You can find buttermilk in the dairy section of most stores. Buttermilk adds rich flavor and tender flakiness to all kinds of recipes. If you can only find large containers, use it to make biscuits, pancakes, ranch dressing or fried chicken.
  • Real buttermilk gives the best flavor and texture. In a pinch, if you can’t find buttermilk or can’t get to a store, you can make a good substitute at home.
  • You won’t be messing with tradition if you make this a Bourbon Buttermilk Pie. Just add two or three tablespoons of bourbon to the batter.

What to Serve With Buttermilk Pie

This pie tastes amazing warm from the oven or cold from the fridge. Have it for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Keep it Southern with a refreshing Passion Fruit Iced Tea or a Cider-Bourbon Cocktail.

Buttermilk Pie
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Homemade Buttermilk Pie

Rich, creamy Buttermilk Pie is a staple of Southern cuisine, and this recipe pays respect to tradition.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix the flour and sugar together.

  2. Add all other ingredients and blend together.

  3. Poke unbaked pie shell with a fork to prevent the crust from rising.

  4. Pour blended ingredients into the unbaked pie shell.

  5. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes.

  6. Top with cinnamon sugar. (optional)

Buttermilk Pie

 

Banana Tea May Be The Solution For A Good Night’s Sleep

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Are you ready to enjoy deep, restful sleep? Are you ready to wake up refreshed rather than groggy without the use of dangerous, addictive sleeping pills? If you are, you should brew a batch of banana tea.

Banana Tea

Brew Your Bananas

Banana tea is all the rage right now as a natural solution for insomnia.

This simple tea uses ingredients you probably have in your home right now. If you’ve had a history of insomnia, why not give it a try? Our simple recipe makes it easy to enjoy a sweet, soothing cup of banana tea.

How Does Banana Tea Work?

Bananas are high in the minerals potassium and magnesium. When your body is low in its levels of these key minerals, you’re likely to be nervous, anxious and unable to sleep well.

What’s the magic ingredient? It’s the banana peel.

On his blog, nutrition expert David Wolfe writes that, “Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, but what most people do not know is that the banana peel has even more potassium and magnesium than the banana itself, and it is often thrown away as trash. Not anymore! With this simple recipe, you can get the benefits of the potassium and magnesium in the banana peel.”

People Are Going Bananas for This Natural Sleep Aid

Potassium and magnesium aren’t the only secret ingredient in banana tea. According to HerbalTeasOnline, banana peels are high in the amino acid tryptophan, which is “a mood-boosting neurotransmitter which regulates the stress level and sleep pattern. A cup of banana or peel tea would have a refreshing effect on your mind, facilitating a good sleep.”

Banana Tea

Can Banana Tea Work for You?

Would you be willing to brew banana tea? If you’ve already tried it, let us know how it worked for you.

Banana Tea
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Banana Tea

Are you ready to wake up refreshed without the use of dangerous, addictive sleeping pills? If so, you should try brewing a batch of banana tea.

Course Drinks
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a boil.
  2. Rinse entire banana under running water.
  3. Slice off both ends, but leave the rest of the peel on the banana.
  4. Add banana to the boiling water.

  5. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes.

  6. Pour the banana water through a strainer.
  7. Add a pinch of cinnamon (or your favorite sweetener).
  8. Enjoy!

Banana Tea

 

Cities Are Building Elder Playgrounds For Boomers To Exercise And Play

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Playgrounds aren’t just for children anymore. These days, recreation areas are designed for an aging population. These elder playgrounds come with fitness equipment, free exercise classes and a chance to work out in the great outdoors.

Elder Playgrounds

Health and Happiness

Studies have found that these fitness-themed playgrounds do wonders for seniors’ health. Movement is important at all ages. Keeping fit helps seniors develop better balance and core strength while staying mentally alert.

The parks also give seniors a new option for meeting other people. Loneliness is a serious problem for the elderly, and these parks are a great way for them to socialize.

Beach Views and Balance Wheels

In one Galveston, Texas park, seniors can use a variety of fitness equipment, climbing bars and balance wheels while enjoying a gorgeous view of the beach.

Some of the playgrounds are designed to let kids and their grandparents play together. The health organization Humana has declared a mission to build these so-called intergenerational playgrounds in at least 50 cities across the U.S.

They have caught on like wildfire as seniors discover a great alternative to gyms or sitting at home alone. As one senior told a news report, “I don’t mind acting like a kid again.”

Elder Playgrounds Provide Fun For All Ages

The trend began in China and has spread to countries everywhere. In Spain, elderly people are flocking to parks where they can play with their grandchildren instead of just watching them play.

These seniors are enjoying fresh air, exercise and fun with their families. It sounds like the perfect recipe for health and happiness at any age.

 

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

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For a holiday-perfect twist on Toll House cookies, bake these decadently delicious White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. White chocolate makes them velvety smooth while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Indulge Your Cranberry Cravings With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

If you’re like me, the holiday season is the perfect excuse to use cranberries whenever possible. If you’ve already made cranberry butter, cranberry bread and cranberry punch, you might be wondering what else you can do. That’s when it’s time to bake these delicious cookies.

If you prefer milk or dark chocolate chips, you can use them, but the classic combination of berries and cream is classic for a reason. In my opinion, white chocolate is closer to a sweet cream or milk than it is to chocolate. That makes it the perfect backdrop for bright, sharp berries. Try these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies and I think you’ll agree.

Tips for Making White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

  • You can use fresh cranberries instead of frozen if you have them on hand. If you’re using frozen, the baking experts at King Arthur’s Flour recommend thawing them and patting them dry before baking with them.
  • Are you hesitant to use brown sugar because it always turns into brick on you? Use these tips to get brown sugar soft again and on storing it so it stays that way.

What to Serve With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Since you’re buying cranberries anyway, use them to mix up a batch of this delicious, festive Cranberry Thyme Spritz that gets its kick from vodka.

These cookies would also be scrumptious with a nonalcoholic drink like this Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
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White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are made velvety smooth by the white chocolate while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 5 dozen
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  3. Stir in the milk, orange juice and egg.

  4. Mix in the remaining ingredients.

  5. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.

  6. Bake 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Makes about 11 dozen cookies.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Are you trying to choose between chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies? Why not make both? Enjoy the best of both worlds with these Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. They give you the wholesome goodness of oatmeal and the rich, smooth delight of chocolate.

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Are a Classic

This is a fail-safe, classic cookie recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for every occasion. Every once in a while, it’s a great idea to revisit and rediscover an old favorite.

These cookies are particularly welcome in the fall and winter, when you’ll appreciate the extra dense, rich texture you get from the oatmeal. They’re also a great way to sneak healthy oats into your diet.

Tips for Making Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Be sure to use quick-cooking oats rather than instant or traditional, steel-cut oats. The special processing that makes them cook quickly also makes them ideal for baking and cooking.
  • Get creative with the ingredients. You can add any type of chocolate chips, M&Ms, raisins, nuts or shredded coconut. This great, versatile recipe works with everything.

What to Serve With Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since these are oatmeal cookies, what could be better than a creamy, thick oatmeal stout? Try the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. It has coffee and chocolate undertones that are perfect with all your fall desserts.

If you want to stick with the chocolate theme, you can’t go wrong with this easy, two-ingredient Gourmet Hot Chocolate.

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Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies give you the wholesome goodness of oatmeal and the rich, smooth delight of chocolate.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy.

  2. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat together. Set aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix the salt and flour together.

  4. Dissolve the baking soda in hot water.

  5. Now to the butter mixture, add the baking soda mixture alternately with the flour and salt mixture.

  6. Mix in the oatmeal, nuts and chocolate chips.

  7. Place rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.

  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F.

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maple Pecan Blondies

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If you thought blondies couldn’t get any more indulgent, get ready for the ultimate in rich, gooey decadence with these Maple Pecan Blondies. These dreamy bars are just the ticket if you want a dessert that doesn’t hold back when it comes to pure pastry pleasure.

Maple Pecan Blondies

Give In to the Pleasure

Do you love brownies, blondies and other rich delights? Are you fond of French toast with maple sugar? Did you ever wish you could combine all those flavors into one luscious dessert?

That’s just what these blondies do for you. They mix the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla into an ultimate blondie that there’s just no point resisting.

Tips for Making Maple Pecan Blondies

  • Real vanilla extract is expensive, and you might have been led to believe you have to use it to get the best flavor. Good news! As it turns out, even expert tasters can’t tell the difference between real extract and inexpensive vanilla flavoring. Use what works for your budget.
  • If you’re out of brown sugar but want to make these anyway, try making your own brown sugar. You’ll always have it on hand when you need it.

What to Serve with Maple Pecan Blondies

These blondies are perfect for brunch or as dessert.

The smooth, nutty taste and the hint of breakfast flavors in these bars make them a natural with a Hot Nutty Irishman.

For kids or those who are avoiding alcohol, pair them with a deliciously simple White Hot Chocolate.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Maple Pecan Blondies
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Maple Pecan Blondies

Maple Pecan Blondies combine the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla to create the ultimate blondie that can't be resisted.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with non-stick baking spray.
  3. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. Set to the side.
  5. Add the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  6. Mix using a electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.

  7. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until smooth.
  8. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
  9. Begin to add one-third of the flour mixture, best to combine.
  10. Now add half of the milk, beat until combined,
  11. Repeat with flour mixture and milk.
  12. Add in the baking chips and pecans.
  13. Stir in to combine.
  14. Spread pecan batter evenly in your pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
  15. Verify the bar is fully cooked by inserting a toothpick in center until it comes out clean.
  16. Allow to cool completely.
  17. Enjoy!

Maple Pecan Blondies