Bourbon Salted Caramel Red Walnut Blondies Recipes

BEST EVER SALTED CARAMEL BLONDIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a parchment paper sling (see notes) for a 13x9 baking pan and spray with non-stick baking spray.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
• In a medium bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter together until fully combined. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour mixture.
• Once the mixture is fully combined, fold in the white chocolate chips and set aside.
• Add the caramel bits and heavy cream to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until smooth and fully combined. Allow the caramel mixture to cool slightly- not so much that it becomes thick and hard, but you don't want it piping hot either.
• While the caramel is cooling, scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• After the caramel has cooled slightly, carefully drizzle it over the batter. Use a knife to create a marbled swirl by running the knife in the opposite direction of the drizzle. (If you drizzled the caramel horizontally, use the knife to make vertical strokes.)
• Bake until the top is shiny and cracked slightly, it should feel slightly firm to the touch (not jiggly), about 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
• Immediately after removing from the oven, top with flaky sea salt. (Just a generous pinch across the top.)
• Let the blondies cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes. Remove the blondies from the baking pan and cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

SALTED CARAMEL-BOURBON SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan but not stirring, until dark amber, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Whisk in 2 tablespoons bourbon. Let cool completely; transfer to jars and refrigerate. (Makes about 2 cups.)

MAPLE-WALNUT BLONDIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-by-8-inch pan with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
• Make the optional maple nuts: In a small sauté pan, heat the walnuts, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and a pinch of salt over medium heat. Cook, tossing often, until the nuts are lightly toasted and the bottom of the pan looks dry, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a cutting board to cool, roughly chop, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, egg, vanilla and bourbon, if using, and whisk until smooth. Add the flour, salt, baking powder and nutmeg, and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle the walnuts, if using, evenly on top. Bake for 21 to 23 minutes, until the bars are just starting to brown at the edges. They should seem slightly underbaked and will firm up as they cool.
• Sprinkle the blondies lightly with salt, allow to cool to room temperature in the pan. When completely cool, remove from the pan using the parchment paper, then cut into squares and serve.