Thursday, December 15, 2011

Chocolate Cinnamon M&M’s Blondies—12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies

Chocolate Cinnamon M&M Blondies 12-14-11

I’ve found these new Cinnamon M&M’s a couple weeks ago and wanted to use them, but make sure it was something really good.  And I think I did just that! 

Cinnamon M&Ms

The M&M’s are good with more of a subtle cinnamon taste.  They are good just for munching.  They are perfect in these blondies.  I don’t know if you’ll be able to find the Cinnamon M&M’s (I got them at Target), or if they’ll only be available during the holidays, but try to find them if you can.  If you can’t find them, if you like cinnamon and chocolate, I still think these blondies would be really good with just the addition of ground cinnamon in them.  Try these, they are a fun little twist on blondies.

I have found it is definitely worth it to gather all your ingredients and measure out and prep each thing before beginning.

Chocolate Cinnamon Blondies 12-14-11

Here’s what the blondies looked like ready for the oven.

Unbaked Chocolate Cinnamon Blondies 12-14-11

After 35 minutes baking they are ready to cool--

Blondies-Chocolate Cinnamon

Cut the bars and they are ready to devour.

Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan Blondies 12-14-11

These are dangerously good!

Chocolate Cinnamon M&M’s Blondies, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!

Cinnamon Streusel Filling:

1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup (2 oz.) good quality chocolate, chopped (or mini chocolate chips)

Blondies:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup light brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

Scant ½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup (3 ounces) good quality chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)

½ cup Cinnamon M&M’s (chopped—optional) plus more for the top

½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. (Foil is optional, but my preferred way to then just lift the blondies out of the pan and cut on a cutting board.) Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon and 2 ounces of chocolate. Set aside. In another small bowl, combine the 1 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Since the M&M’s are kind of big (they’re bigger than plain M&M’s, I carefully chopped each one. A little tedious, but didn’t take too long. Plus, the bars are easier to cut without the big M&M’s throughout. You could easily make these blondies with plain M&M’s if you can’t find the cinnamon ones. Chop the chocolate if not using chips.

Beat together the butter and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until creamy. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in the chocolate, M&M’s and nuts. Press about 2/3 of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top and press it down a little. (I didn’t quite use all of it.) Dot the rest of the batter over the top. (It will not completely cover the top and that’s okay!) Sprinkle with extra chopped M&M’s if desired.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without raw batter on it. Cool the blondies in the pan on a wire rack until completely cooled. Remove from pan and peel the foil off the back. Cut into squares.

Chocolate Cinnamon Blondies 12-14-11

12 weeks of christmas graphic

Package up a few of these to give as a holiday gift for your friends or neighbors.  They are my final pick for the 12th week of The Twelve Weeks of Christmas Cookies!  Anyone else feel a little sad it’s over?  I will still be baking, so I don’t really feel sad.  I do feel like yelling “Ahhhhh” that Christmas is so close!  I should probably do a little shopping for it—soon! ;)  Check out the other 12 Weeks bloggers final goodies!

Special thanks to Brenda at Meal Planning Magic for heading up and leading this group this year.  Great job.  Happy Holidays, Everyone!  May they be sweet for you!

11 comments:

Lisa Ernst said...

The inside of these blondies look chock full of goodies -- just the way I'd like them. I'll admit that I probably won't be trying the cinnamon M&M's, but I think mixed with the dark chocolate in these bars I could definitely appreciate them.

Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more said...

I think those are going to be great, even without the special m&M's. Yummy.

Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl said...

I LOVE those M&Ms...and the blondies look fabulous!

laurie said...

I'm going to go look for cinnamon M&M's!

Jenny Bai said...

Hi! Just found your blog! These look deelicious! I didn't know M&Ms came in cinnamon flavor. I need to go buy myself some (:

Leslie said...

Ohhh yes..I saw these at Target but didnt pick them up..I wasnt sure what they would taste like...but its good to know they are tasty. Love your blondies!

Jackie said...

mmm... these sound really good. I haven't tried the cinnamon m&ms yet. I will have to look for them next time I am at the store.

Teanna said...

You seriously always find the coolest candies!!!!!!!! I LOVE these!!!!

andieclark said...
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andieclark said...
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UNKNOWN said...

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