Fudge Frosted Peanut Butter Blondies

Perfect balance of intense peanut butter and fudgy chocolate flavors in a chewy blondie with little peanut crunch here and there. Tom and I had these for dinner tonight…where are our parents when we need them?

 

Blondie:
2/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter chips, divided
3/4 cup peanuts, divided

Frosting:
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup cocoa
2 Tbl milk (maybe a bit more)
1 Tbl light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1½ cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325°. In large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in most of the peanut butter chips and peanuts, reserving about 1/4 cup of the peanut butter chips and about 2 Tbl peanuts to sprinkle over top of frosting.

Spread into a greased 13×9 baking pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely.

For frosting, in small bowl, combine butter, cocoa, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until smooth. Add a little more milk, if needed, to achieve desired frosting consistency. Frost blondies. Sprinkle with reserved peanut butter chips and peanuts.

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Single Layer Chocolate Cake

This is recipe #2 of kingarthurflour.com Best Basic Recipe Collection. So easy to stir it together, bake, frost and serve right from the pan. Simple, simple! The one thing I would change next time I make this, is to make half the amount of icing. As you can tell from the photo there is plenty of frosting!

Cake
1½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp espresso powder, optional
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbl vinegar
1/3 cup oil
1 cup cold water

Icing
1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup half-and-half

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8″ square or 9″ round pan that’s at least 2″ deep. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the vanilla, vinegar, vegetable oil, and water in a separate bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

Serve the cake right from the pan; warm from the oven, it’s wonderful with a big glass of milk. Or, once cool, frost the cake with this simple chocolate frosting: Heat the chocolate chips with the half-and-half until the chips melt. Stir until smooth, and pour/spread over the cake. For a non-dairy icing, substitute 1/3 cup cold brewed coffee (or water) for the half-and-half.

Chocolate Turtle Bundt Cake

This cake makes a statement!

Chocolate Cake:
1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1 small pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbl caramel ice cream topping

Milk Chocolate Drizzle & Toppings:
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1 Tbl shortening
caramel ice cream topping
pecans, chopped
mini chocolate chips
toffee bits

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl with electric mixer, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into a well sprayed bundt pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake in pan at least 15 minutes before inverting onto wire rack to cool completely. Transfer to serving plate.

In a bowl with electric mixer, whip cream cheese. Mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time. Add caramel and mix well. Spoon into pastry bag with large tip and pipe back and forth around (completely cooled) cake. In small bowl, microwave milk chocolate chips and shortening until just tempered, just melted enough to drizzle (hot or too warm on the cream cheese caramel frosting would melt frosting). Drizzle the caramel topping all around the cake. Sprinkle with pecans, mini chocolate chips and toffee bits. Inspired by chefintraining.

Brick Street Cafe Chocolate Cake

I am hoping to visit South Carolina someday, but for now I will settle for a big chocolate taste of the South. The Brick Street Cafe is in Greenville, SC and is famous for their cakes and pies. This recipe is said to be their cake named “The Best Chocolate Cake I’ve Ever Had”, it is definitely fudgy, chocolatey amazing!

Cake:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 large eggs
2½ cups cake flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Liberally spray a bundt or tube pan. In large bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar.  Mix in vanilla and eggs. Add cake flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and buttermilk; mix thoroughly. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake 30 minutes, turn oven heat down to 325° and bake 30-40 minutes more. Test with cake tester. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto cooling rack and cool completely.

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
3½ cups powdered sugar
2-4 Tbl heavy cream

In sauce pan over medium heat, melt and stir together butter, water, and vanilla. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa. Stir in powdered sugar. Stir in cream one tablespoon at a time, to achieve a creamy yet pour-able frosting to spread over top of cake and run slowly down the side and puddle. There is a lot of frosting, you can put half on and wait a bit for that to set up and then pour the remaining over frosting over (microwave the remaining frosting a few seconds to get it liquid enough to pour).

Sensible Chocolate Cake

Happy National Chocolate Cake Day! If you didn’t know it, now you do, get out there and eat chocolate cake! Here’s my problem, I live in a small household now (less eaters), I have very little self-control, and I love to bake! It is a problem! Well, this cake recipe helps a little. If you make things smaller then there is less to eat, so very sensible. So, while you are out today looking for chocolate cake, go buy yourself two 6″ round cake pans and we’ll make smaller cakes together. It’s the sensible thing to do.

Chocolate Cake
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°. With electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, sour cream, and milk. Mix until all ingredients are whipped together. Divide batter evenly into two sprayed and floured 6″ round baking pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Nutella Buttercream Frosting
4 Tbl butter, softened
1/3 cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3-4 Tbl milk

With electric mixer, whip butter and Nutella. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and milk one tablespoon at a time to desired frosting consistency. Spread frosting on top of first cake layer, place second layer over frosting and frost sides and top of cake.

Vanilla Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes

Have some fun with flavor!

Vanilla Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes:
1 box french vanilla cake mix
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Coffee Mate Caramel Macchiato Powder
3/4 tsp salt
1¹/3 cups water
2 Tbl oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 325°. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans (makes approx 24 cupcakes).  In large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar, Coffee Mate Caramel Macchiato powder, and salt. Stir together water, oil, vanilla, sour cream, and egg white. Add liquid mixture to dry ingredients and beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Scoop batter into prepared cups, filling 3/4 full. Bake 18-22 minutes. Cool Completely.

Vanilla Caramel Macchiato Buttercream:
1 cup butter, softened
4½ cups powdered sugar
2 Tbl Coffee Mate Caramel Macchiato Powder
1 tsp vanilla
3-4 Tbl whole milk or cream (milk works)

With electric mixer, whip butter until light and creamy. Add powdered sugar, Coffee Mate Caramel Macchiato powder, vanilla and 3 Tbl milk. Whip until well combined, add more milk if needed to make desired frosting consistency. Pipe onto completely cooled cupcakes. Garnish with vanilla chips and toffee bits if desired.

More Cupcake Ideas:

 

Cinnamon Blondies

A flavorful ribbon of cinnamon sugar running through tender vanilla blondies, frosted with whipped buttercream. A new favorite!

                

Blondies:
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt

Filling:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup vanilla chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 13″x9″ baking pan with non-stick spray. In large bowl, stirring by hand, mix melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Mix in eggs one at a time, and stir in vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; mix just until combined. In small bowl, stir together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling. Spread half the batter (about 2 cups) in prepared pan. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar filling over batter. Sprinkle vanilla chips over cinnamon sugar, press down gently. Drop remaining batter by scoopfuls over the top and gently spread (I used my fingers sprayed with nonstick spray, it takes a minute with patience but it works). Bake 30-32 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
2-3 Tbl milk

Whip butter with electric mixer until light in color. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 Tbl milk. Whip. Add more milk if needed for desired frosting consistency. Spread over completely cool blondies.

One Year Ago: Giant Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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Four Years Ago: Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Peanut Butter Oreo Blondies

Another peanut butter and chocolate experience, delicious!

Peanut Butter Oreo Blondies:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup peanut butter, soft
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 (15.5 oz) pkg Peanut Butter Oreos

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 13″x9″ baking pan with non-stick spray. In large bowl, stirring by hand, mix melted butter, peanut butter (put in microwave to soften if necessary), sugar, and vanilla. Mix in eggs one at a time. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; mix thoroughly. Spread half the batter (about 2 cups) in prepared pan. Place Peanut Butter Oreos in one layer over batter. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over the top of the layer of Oreos and gently spread to cover all the Oreos (I use my fingers sprayed with non-stick spray). Bake 30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Fudge Frosting:
6 Tbl butter
6 Tbl milk
1½ cup sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

In saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, milk, and sugar. Bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla; stir until chocolate chips are melted and frosting is smooth. Spread evenly over blondies, a thick layer. Frosting will set up nicely in a wonderful fudge layer! Your might also like Strawberry & Golden Oreo Blondies, Biscoff Brownies, Birthday Cake Oreo Sprinkle Blondies, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Oreo Brownies.

One Year Ago: Fast Honey Buttermilk Bread

Two Years Ago: Quick & Easy Mousse

Three Years Ago: Strawberry Milkshake Mini Cakes

Red Velvet Brownie Cake

This is a combination of a brownie layer, red velvet layer, and my favorite fudgy frosting. Probably best served with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Brownie Layer:
1/2 cup butter, very soft
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
6 Tbl unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350°. In bowl mixing by hand, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Add flour, cocoa, and salt; mix just until combined. Spread in sprayed 13″x9″ baking pan.

Red Velvet Layer:
3 Tbl butter, very soft
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbl unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbl red food color
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1¾ cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vinegar
1 tsp baking soda

In bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. In small bowl, make a paste with the cocoa and red food color; mix into creamed mixture. Add flour, salt, milk, and vanilla; mix well. In small bowl, add baking soda to vinegar; add to batter and mix well. Spoon red velvet batter over brownie batter in baking pan, gently spread evenly to completely cover. Bake 30-35 minutes until center is done. Cool completely.

Fudge Frosting:
6 Tbl butter
6 Tbl milk
1½ cup sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

In saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, milk, and sugar. Bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla; stir until chocolate chips are melted and frosting is smooth. Spread evenly over cake, a thick layer. Frosting will set up nicely in a wonderful fudge layer!

One Year Ago: Peanut Butter M&M Candied Popcorn

Two Years Ago: Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Roll Bundt

Three Years Ago: Cinnamon Apple Cake w/Caramel Sauce

Strawberry & Golden Oreo Blondies

Something sweet for Valentine’s Day or any day!

Strawberry & Golden Oreo Blondies:
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 cup Nestle Strawberry Nesquik
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2-4 drops red food color (optional)
2¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup white baking chips
1 (14.3 oz) pkg Golden Oreos

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 13″x9″ baking pan with non-stick spray. In large bowl, stirring by hand, mix melted butter, sugar, Strawberry Nesquik, vanilla, and red food color. Mix in eggs one at a time. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; mix thoroughly. Stir in white chips. Spread half the batter (about 2 cups) in prepared pan. Place Goldens Oreos in one layer over batter (I used 28). Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over the top of the layer of Oreos and gently spread to cover all the Oreos. Bake 25-30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temp
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2-3 Tbl milk

Whip butter with electric mixer until light in color. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 Tbl milk. Whip. Add more milk if needed for desired frosting consistency. Spread over completely cool blondies.

One Year Ago: Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins

Two Years Ago: Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies

Three Years Ago: Carmelitas