Blondie + Peanuts = mm-mmmm-good!

Yesterday, Mom and Dad and I stayed home, wearing multiple layers of clothing and eating multiple bowls of hot soup. "If the weather continues to stay this cold," Mom said, "I won't have any choice but to do more baking!" Well, it's still cold and is steadily getting colder, so today the oven was the best source of warmth and comfort.

Mom dug out an older magazine clipping of a recipe she's never made before, but was apparently saving for an especially chilly day. From Family Circle , October 2009, on p. 14 came a delightful dessert, Peanut Butter Blondies.

Now, it's important to note that the Chandlers enjoy the "funny pages" of the newspaper more than any other page, so when I think about this dessert, I can't help but wonder, What would happen if we crossed Blondie with Peanuts??

Aaaand... voila! We get something fun and sweet and good to share with the whole family and more: 

Blondies:
2 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 c shortening
1 c peanut butter
1 lb packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped peanuts

Frosting:
1 lb confectioners' sugar
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c shortening
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c hot water

Heat oven to 350 deg. F.
Coat two 13x9x2" pans with cooking spray.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking power, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat shortening, PB, and brown sugar on med-high for 3 minutes.
Add eggs and beat 3 minutes more.
Add vanilla.
On low speed, beat in the flour mixture.
Stir in peanuts.
Divide batter between the two pans.
Bake at 350 deg. F. for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Let cool slightly.

Frosting:
Beat confectioner's sugar, PB, shortening, salt, and vanilla.
Add hot water a little at a time.
Beat until smooth.
Spread over blondies while still warm.

I must say I absolutely LOVE this dessert! And I'm pretty sure I could eat the frosting from a big bowl with a spoon, it was so amazing. And Mom loves that the recipe makes two big pans of it, so you can have one for your family and give the other away. If you're a fan of peanut butter, I highly recommend you try this out!