Mocha Blondies

The other day, I wanted to bake something to take to the beach the next day.  Big was home from summer camp and she happily agreed to help me make Blondies. She kept asking "Blondie like me?  Like my blond hair?"  Sort of.  Blondies are bars, similar to brownies, but with brown sugar instead of cocoa.  I modified these a bit by adding espresso powder and mini chocolate chips so they were really more mocha than brown sugar (in complexion as well as flavor).  I loved the results.  Usually, I'm a brownie person through and through.  I'd rather have chocolate than just about anything else but I thought these turned out fantastic.

Mocha Blondies 

(adapted from Mark Bittman & Smitten Kitchen)

2 sticks butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups flour

2 Tablespoons espresso powder

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9x13 pan.  Mix butter and brown sugar together - beat until smooth.  Beat in eggs and then vanilla.  Add salt, stir in flour, and then mix in the espresso powder and chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared pan.  Bake for 18-22 minutes or until set in the middle.  Cool on rack before cutting them.  Forget to take them to the beach and watch your kid throw a gigantic temper tantrum in the parking lot when she finds out.  Serve them the next night for dessert when you have family over.