Cashew Butter Blondies with Dark Chocolate & Pretzels

Woot woot! Happy Friday peeps!!

Okay so, being that it’s Friday, I think we can all agree that it’s already going to be a good day but – I feel like we could make it even better if we involved some cashew butter in our lives… and maybe some pretzels…. and possibly some chocolate. Mhmmm, everything is better with chocolate ja’feel me??

Sweeeet, then let’s get right into this one… Cashew Butter Blondies w/ Dark Chocolate Chunks & Pretzels. I mean come on, do I even have to explain myself further here?

Okay, okay, in the interest of being a somewhat decent food blogger {which by the way I feel ssuuupppperrr weird calling myself that}, I guess I should elaborate a little more on these bad boys before I send you off to bake them – which you need to do, & then you must also proceed to eat the entire pan, because they are actually that good.

Now before you go and get all worried about demolishing an entire tray of blondies, let me just say this; It’s Friday – Thus you just made it through the work week & you damn well deserve these blondies. Plus it’s the weekend so who really gives a crap about calories right?

Alright in all seriousness, these Blondies are the real deal. Like I’m talking so good, that when you bite into one, you’re probably going to have an out of body experience. So be prepared for that.

I threw this recipe together a couple days ago with nothing but a hope and a dream, when I was simultaneously craving cashew butter, pretzels & chocolate {pretty much a regular occurrence for me}. So I really wasn’t sure how they were going to turn out, but after taking a bite…. let’s just say the only thin I was mad about, was that I didn’t make a bigger pan.

Rookie mistake….

Anyways, Cole & I made super short work of these Blondies and sadly all that remains is an empty tray in our kitchen and a hole in our hearts.

Just looking at these pictures right now is giving me all the feels, and making me want to abandon this post and go make another batch……………….. okay priorities!

1. Finish blog post
2. Make more blondies… yaaaaasss

So just in case you’re still on the fence about whether or not you want to make these; here’s the play by play on these Cashew Butter Blondies…

Cashew Butter – I mean seriously have you tried the stuff? It’s unreal all on it’s own, but in Blondie form…. I have no words.The Cashew butter made them oh so chewy & fudgy, & the creamy, nutty  flavour combo with the chocolate and the pretzels was seriously what dreams are made of.

I added a whole whack of vanilla to the recipe, as well as a touch of cinnamon & some espresso powder, which was like the definition of the perfect flavour party in your mouth.

Oh! Also – I browned the butter…. ‘nough said.

So to sum up; these Blondies are going to change your life, and you’re Friday night needs them. So here’s the recipe lovelies!

Cashew Butter Blondies with Dark Chocolate & Pretzels

Things you need…

1/2 cup butter, browned
1/2 cup cashew butter
1 tsp espresso powder
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
1/2 cup pretzels, chopped

How to make…

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees, and line a 9×9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.

In a saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Once melted, turn up the heat to medium-high and brown your butter, occasionally swirling it around in the saucepan and keeping a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn. You want your butter to have a fragrant nutty aroma and be a nice golden brown colour.

Once your butter is browned, mix in the cashew butter and espresso powder, until smooth and combined; set aside to cool slightly for about 10 minutes.

Next mix in the brown sugar, and then the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Next add the flour, baking powder and cinnamon and mix to combine. Once the batter is starting to come together add in the pretzels & dark chocolate chunks and fold them in until they are evenly combined.

Pour batter into your prepared pan, and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden. I like my blondies slightly under-baked, so I usually find that the 25 minute mark is perfect.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before slicing into 16 squares & enjoy!

Happy Blondie Baking lovelies!

KPxoxo