Valentine Peanut Butter M&M Blondies*

By srumbel

If you need an easy dessert to bring to a Valentine’s party or want to surprise someone special with a Valentine’s Day treat, this is the recipe for you. No one will be able to resist soft, buttery blondies with rich peanut butter flavor and studded with Valentine’s Day M&Ms. The blondies are fast, easy, made in one bowl, and you don’t even need a mixer.
from averiecooks.com

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I use Jif, Skippy or similar; natural PB can separate and/or be too oily)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup M&Ms, divided (I used plain milk chocolate but you can use peanut, dark, etc.)

Details

Preparation time 5mins
Cooking time 90mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.

To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.

Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the peanut butter, egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.

Add the flour and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.

Add 1/2 cup M&Ms and stir gently to combine.

Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.

Add the remaining 1/4 cup M&M’s to the top of the batter for visual appeal. Press them down lightly so they adhere.

Bake for about 22 to 26 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter.

Allow blondies to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Blondies are best fresh but will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container at room temp or up to 4 months in the freezer.

Yield: one 8x8-inch pan, serves 9