White Chocolate Walnut Blondies

Ingredient list

I'm partial to white chocolate chunks as chips can get a bit lost in the batter if you ask me, but they work just fine when it comes to flavor. 

• White chocolate: use white chocolate chips or chunks. I use Valrhona caramelized chocolate Dulcey, Callebaut white chocolate chunks, or a white chocolate baking bar, coarsely chopped.
• Walnuts: they will be chopped, so you can buy the already broken ones that are cheaper than walnut halves.
• Brown sugar: light or dark. The latter will render a darker dough.
• Egg: fresh, large.
• All-purpose flour.
• Salt: I like using kosher salt or fine sea salt when baking. But regular table salt works just fine.
• Baking powder: make sure it isn't expired. 
• Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract or pure vanilla paste when available, but a good vanilla essence (artificially flavored) also works and is infinitely cheaper. 
• Coffee: use very concentrated prepared coffee (I usually use Nespresso capsules), or coffee extract. If coffee is a no-no, omit it and use more vanilla.

How to make blondies

It's an easy, one-bowl recipe.

Mix butter with sugar and add the egg. I use an electric mixer, but it can be made with a stand mixer. 

Add flavorings and mix well.

Add dry ingredients. Patiently mix with a spatula or wooden spoon. Or use an electric beater but mix *just* until combined.

Add the white chocolate and walnuts. Mix until it is well combined and evenly distributed. 

Vintage Kitchen tip: it's important not to beat much after adding the flour as it will result in tougher blondies. Incorporate it well but stop when it's all integrated.

Lining the pan 

I use a square pan, spray or butter it, and line it with a strip of parchment paper almost as wide as the pan (image below). 

This will aid you when removing the blondie from the pan in a single block. 

After that, it's easier to cut.

Variations

And this is my sophisticated adult version, with the following changes: 

• Add a tablespoon (or two) of coffee liqueur such as Kahlua to the batter, the drizzle, or both.
• Use different nuts, a mix of hazelnuts and pecans is my favorite.
• Add dark, intense chocolate chips, like Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips.

The coffee cuts through the extra sweetness of the white chocolate perfectly. It enhances it while letting it remain center stage.

Add a coffee glaze

I used to make this blondie recipe with a lot more coffee flavor. And, though I didn't use it today, these white chocolate walnut blondies are fantastic drizzled with a coffee glaze. 

I still love that variation, but I find it might not be the most friendly, especially with kids. 

Other glazes

Use the traditional powdered sugar glaze. 

Or kick it up a notch with a Kahlua glaze, one of my favorites.