Tasty Tuesday-National Blondie Day

Blonde or brunette?  

Its a question that applies to hair color, pugs, and also bar cookies.

The origin of the brownie is shrouded in myth, but it is believed to be an American discovery of the early twentieth century.   It is likely the creation of Fannie Farmer who published a recipe for chocolate bar cookies in 1905.  Others tell the story of a housewife who forgot to add baking powder to a chocolate cake and thus inadvertently invented the brownie.  Regardless of the source once the brownie was out in the world countless variations began to appear, one of which, the Blondie, substitutes brown sugar for the cocoa powder.     Today January 22, is national Blondie day and a perfect day to try the brownies fairer cousin.

Chocolate Chip Blondie Bars for People

• 1 1/3 sticks unsalted butter melted, and cooled slightly
• 1 1lb light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour (King Arthur brand is best)
• 12 ounces chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine the butter, sugars, salt, and vinegar (you can do it right in the pan you melted the butter in).  Cool to luke warm and add the eggs, espresso, vanilla, and baking powder.  Stir in the flour, chocolate chips, and nuts.

Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper and pour in the batter and smooth. Bake for 38 minutes until the top is golden and shiny and the center is just baked through.  The brownies will be very moist so cool completely and then cut in bars.

Glutten Free  Coconut Flour Blondies  with Carob Chips for Dogs

1 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses
4 eggs beaten
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup carob chips
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 and grease and four the baking pan.

Stir the vegetable oil and molasses together and then add the coconut flours.   Add the beaten eggs and mix very well and stir in the carob chips.  Spread into an 8x8 inch square pan and sprinkle with coconut flakes  Bake 30 minutes until  cooked through.

Ernie Update: The news was pretty mixed.  Ernie's heart looked pretty good on the ultrasound so the vets are still a little confused about the murmur.  His blood work showed slightly elevated calcium levels so  he needs to have it rechecked in a month.