Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies: Memories

So..these are Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies.  Okay.  Commence with drooling, yearning, longing, and dreaming about these wonderful bars.

Go ahead…I’ll wait…

Can we continue?  Okay.

First of all, I have been absent the last few days due to a minor neck injury and sitting at a computer was, and is, sorta painful.  I am suffering through the discomfort to post this recipe because everyone out there should have access to these and I can’t, in good conscience, keep them to myself any longer.  Posting the recipe here for all of you seems like a better choice than shouting it from the rooftops!  Ironically, the bars themselves have also kept me away from the computer (No-not because I was too busy eating them).  I’ll try to explain.

There are certain foods that evoke memories in all of us.  A favorite meal or food or smell that takes you to that time and place.  In my experience, these ‘food memories’ have great power.  One tiny whiff of Spiced Nuts and I am instantly transported to my parent’s kitchen, watching my Mother carefully turn the steaming glob of cinnamon spiced snacks in a pan on the stove.  I can’t make Tator-Tot Casserole without smiling and thinking of my sister.  And don’t even get me started about the ache in my heart when I eat Rose Lake walleye.  These bars are part of that elite grouping of foods.  Everything about them fills me with the sights, sounds, smells, and memories of dear friends.  How can I possibly convey the emotions this simple dessert wells up in me?! *sigh* I won’t bore you with my ramblings as it would take way too long anyway.  Suffice to say that these bars fill me with joy, and I hope you love them as much as I do.

Speaking of bars, anyone who has ever eaten in the 4-H building at the Minnesota State Fair may recall this fantastic dessert.  The two very special ladies who introduced me to these made them for years, and to my knowledge, they are still served there today.  While working there, I myself baked thousands of them (literally, not kidding) and probably snitched hundreds.  Okay dozens, at least.  I have no idea where the recipe comes from, but the creator was a genius.  Just the smell of them baking will make your heart race with anticipation.  They are gooey, chewy, and decadently rich.  Unfortunately, they are also ridiculously easy, giving you no excuse not to indulge in them whenever the mood strikes.  And it will strike often!  So mix up a batch and make some memories!  Because sharing them with those you love makes that a virtual certainty. Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies
These bars are the perfect ‘mix and dump’ kind of recipe.  They are fast, super easy, and my fall back recipe when I need to bring something to a pot luck at the last minute!  Made a day ahead, they are a convenient dessert for a BBQ.  They also freeze wonderfully, but we rarely have any left to save for later.

2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 T water
2/3 c oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1- 1 1/4 c chocolate chips (I like 1 c, but add more if you prefer)

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, blend the first five ingredients together until smooth.  Add the dry ingredients (not the chocolate chips), and mix until combined.  The batter will be thick, sticky and look like carmel!  Spread into a sprayed 9X13 pan and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until evenly golden brown across the top.  The edges will be higher than the rest of the pan and this is what you want!  Cool completely in pan (I realize this may take an absurd amount of self control, but do the best you can!) and cut into squares.  Twenty four bars (4X6) seems to be the perfect size bar.