White Chocolate Cherry Blondies

Here is a recipe inspired by a great friend. The chewy cherries are a wonderful addition to a classic recipe. I chose to reconstitute my cherries in covering them in hot brandy, but plain hot water is the most common way. Holiday Hint; Double the batch and save some in your freezer for holiday company. (Be sure to freeze them quickly…they have a way of disappearing!)

White Chocolate Cherry Blondies

• 2 cup sifted flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped sliced almonds
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 TBSP vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1.5 cups dried cherries, reconstituted in hot liquid for 5 minutes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º. In medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt Add chopped nuts, mix well and set aside. In mixer bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla and almond extract and mix well. Add eggs; mix well.

Next, add the flour mixture, a little at a time, being sure to scrap the bowl and mix until combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and cherries.

Spread batter into a 9x9x2-inch pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with slightly fudgy-looking crumbs.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. (Optional)

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