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Monday, October 4, 2010

Banoffee Blondies

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Food blogging can be an expensive hobby. Especially because of the baking. I always have a never-ending supply of butter, flour, eggs and at least 4 types of sugar. I'm always on the look out for random props. I have accumulated a lot of...crap. I end up with with random things like spoon rests, too many bananas, extra cream, a can of dulce de leche and a huge jar of chocolate sauce in my fridge. But this time it was kind of great because I got home at 9pm one night last week, stared at all the crap and decided to bake these banoffee blondies.
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I've always wanted to try making blondies, they're just brownies without the chocolate. I know that sounds like you're taking the best part of the brownie away, but think of it more like a delicious, buttery, brown sugar slice. So I used a recipe for regular blondies with chocolate chips, and added banana and dulce de leche. Then I served it with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Banoffee blondies. Like banoffee pie, but in slice form. All I can say is...OMG.
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It was an incredibly easy recipe to whip up, as I mentioned I got home at 9pm and these were done an hour later. I was a little peeved because the original recipe said to bake it for 40 minutes, but I forgot that I used a wider pan so it was a lot thinner. Luckily I decided to check on the blondies after 20 minutes and they were neeeeearly overcooked. Fortunately they hadn't dried out, the banana helps keep these from drying out easily. As per usual I was too impatient to wait for it to completely cool before having a taste test. A spoon into the corner of the pan let me know that this was even better than I had hoped and not too rich or sweet.
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So I was taking photos of these blondies...dolloping whipped cream on top...drizzling a little chocolate awesomesauce on top...and after getting some close ups of that piece of blondie, I couldn't take it anymore. I took a big bite out of it. I tried to keep taking photos, but that one bite had completely distracted me. I gave up and ate the whole thing.
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Banoffee Blondies
(adapted from Martha's Choc Chip Blondies, makes approx 20)
115g (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup (110g) packed light-brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup ripe banana, mashed (about 1 medium banana)
1 cup (130g) plain flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips (I used milk, but you can use semi-sweet too)
1/4 cup dulce de leche
Optional: Whipped cream, chocolate awesomesauce (recipe here) to serve

If you are making dulce de leche, take one unopened can of sweetened condensed milk and remove any labels from the can. Place in a medium saucepan and fill with water until it is at least halfway to three-quarters of the way up the side of the can. Cover with a lid and place on medium-high heat and boil for two hours. Make sure you check on the water level regularly, topping up the water so that the level is always at least halfway up the side of the can. DO NOT let the water run out or the can will explode. After two hours, carefully remove can from the boiling water and set aside to cool completely. Can be refrigerated unopened until ready for use. It is best to whip the dulce de leche with an electric mixer to make it light and smooth.
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Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Brush a 17x27cm slice/brownie tin (or an 8-inch square baking pan) with some melted butter; line pan with a piece of baking paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Butter paper.

In a large bowl, lightly whisk butter and sugars until smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla and mashed banana. Add flour and salt; stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top. Use a teaspoon to place dollops of dulce de leche over the top of the batter. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.
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Bake until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, mine took 20-25 minutes but Martha says around 40 mins, so it depends on what pan you use. Set pan on a wire rack, and let cool completely. Using parchment overhang, lift cake from pan and transfer to a cutting board; cut into 20 pieces. Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days. Serve topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (or chocolate flakes).
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36 comments:

  1. ninjas prefer blondes. also like brownies, though. actually, love them in equal quantities. mmmmm baked goods in skirts mmmmmmmmm

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  2. These were so freaking good! I loved the subtle banana flavour, and of course the awesomesauce :)

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  3. Whoa mama, love the food styling Steph :D

    And as a lucky taste tester of these blondies, I also have to concur... OMG!

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  4. I can't believe that you baked them at 9pm and they survived the night for you to be able to photograph them. If I had made them - they would not have made it past 12 midnight.

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  5. wonderful idea and who doesn't love using us stuff that's been hanging around the pantry for awhile? Deeelish!

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  6. OMG!!! This looks great! thanks for the recipe!!!

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  7. HAHA You're so cute! I think I would have done the same taking pics of something friggin' awesome as this. Banoffee anything is a win for me.

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  8. If you cover it with enough of the chocolate awesomesauce, you could pretend it's a brownie, couldn't you? :)

    Looks like an awesome recipe and some great photos too.

    Never would have thought to whip dulce de leche. Thanks for the tip!

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  9. Yes food blogging can be expensive but your props are great and really complement your lovely creations! Also, dulce de leche is yummy. :D

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  10. oooh baby! banofee! blondies! awesome!

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  11. Mmm these look so good! I can only imagine what a great combination bananas, choc chips and dulce de leche would be, as well as that chocolate awesomesauce! Love the photos as well :)

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  12. What a great idea! I hadn't heard of blondies but it makes perfect sense and the photo of your bite-marked slice sent me into full slobber mode. Must do! :D

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  13. What an amazing combination of flavours and an excellent way of using up ingredients!

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  14. I was recently given dulce de leche, so have been wondering what to make them into. I think this is the answer! YAY!

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  15. These look delicious!! Blondies plus banoffee pie equals the best combination ever. Your pictures are lovely.

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  16. Mmmmm these look awesome. So much goodness. I share your sentiments about food blogging and baking. I never have less than 2 blocks of butter in the fridge.

    These blondies look great. I would love to nibble on these whilst sitting in front of the computer.

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  17. These look amazing!! Love the addition of dulce de leche!!

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  18. I could stare at dulce de leche all day.

    You're right about the expense, but your photos are so beautifully propified that I don't want you to stop. Keep spending! Hmm, but make sure you save money for ingredients. And maybe utilities as well I guess, if you must.

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  19. Blogging has certainly taken a toll on my wallet but when I get to see amazing recipes like this and then, dare I say, BAKE them and EAT them. Man is it worth it.

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  20. That dulce de leche looks amazing!! .. not a banana fan but damn those slices esp with the drizzled chocolate on top makes me drool! .. loving your pics too!

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  21. I like the colour of your DDL. I always boil mine for 3 hours. Must try shorten it to 2.

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  22. I've been planning on making banoffee pie for a couple of weeks now and just haven't quite gotten around to it but oh man no I actually need to make these brownies! Who cares about the proper pie, these brownies are definitely where it's at...

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  23. they look SOOOOOOOOO amazing! i've never made blondies cause people usually say they're just like a big cookie pan, not so exciting... but these definitely are worth a try!

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  24. OMG! I loved them at first glance :)) I will make these soon :))
    And your pictures are awesome :)

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  25. Awesome idea! These looks so yummy!

    And I can relate to the need to devour your subject... So frustrating. Lol

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  26. Ohh these look so good! Your photo's always make me hungry. I am pleased that I am alone in sending the family broke with my prop purchases and ingredient lists. I now buy my flour in a 20kg bag and store it in a crate in the pantry!!!

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  27. My goodness! Banoffee pie is one of my favourite pies. I have to make these soon, I'm drooling at my desk...

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  28. You had me at banoffee!!! My boyfriend loves banoffee so I am SO going to have to make these for him.

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  29. My Husband is gonna LOVE these blondies! Thanks for sharing.

    PS - I have a huge collection of crap that has only really developed since I started blogging too!

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  30. These taste so great ! Thanks for sharing !

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  31. Your food styling photos are seriously inspirational and mega drool-worthy. I really love seeing what you've created, as it's always original and beautifully presented.

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  32. the ninja - You and your skirts :P that is one unhealthy obsession

    Lisa - Yay I'm glad you liked them! xx

    Karen @ Citrus and Candy - Heeehee thanks ;)

    Trissa - Haha I have developed a great self-control with my baked goods! No pigging out til there are photos!

    Lora - I know right? So satisfying getting rid of something that might have gone in the bin otherwise!

    colores - You are so welcome :)

    Phuoc'n Delicious - Hahaha :) Yeah I couldnt resist!

    Simon @ the heart of food - Hahaha I guess you could! Thanks so much! Yep I find it's too dense straight out of the can, especially once it's been\ cooled!

    leaf - Aww thank you! It's good to know the props aren't going to waste :)

    chocolatesuze - :D Thanks!

    Jacq - :) Thank you! They were so moreish, I could have eaten the whole tray myself!

    Fiona - Thanks!

    Gummi Baby - Hahaha full slobber mode, love it!

    mademoiselle délicieuse - Thank you! :)

    Celeste @ Berrytravels - Dulce de leche is awesome!! Hope you try them!

    Butter Hearts Sugar - Thanks! :) Banoffee pie is an old love of mine but blondies are new to me! I love them now!

    Mark @ Cafe Campana - Yes there's always gotta be butter in the fridge! Trust me, I did a lot of nibbling on these :)

    cookies and cups - Thanks! <3

    Conor @ Hold the Beef - Hahha mee too...except with a spoon...and eventually it would all be gone :P Aww thank you :) hehe i don't need any more encouragement to keep spending! But okay!

    Joanne - Awww thank you! Will do ;)

    the dainty baker - Thanks! I'm sure it would still taste good without the banana :)

    Ellie (Almost Bourdain) - I used to do it for 3 but I found it was a little too sweet and a bit burnt on the bottom, and 2 hours seems just enough to make it golden!

    Jess - Hahaha the brownies are easier but I do love a good banoffee pie ;)

    Adriana - :) They are a bit likea cookie pan but I love the flavour! Definitely worth it!

    Karolina - Hope you like them! Thank you :)

    whisk-kid - Thanks so much! Hahaha I tried to stop myself but I couldn't!

    Gourmet Getaway - Hehehe taking the photos makes me hungry! Oh yeah the bulk flour purchases are totally worth it!

    Leah - Me too! Gotta love banoffee pie

    delicieux - Heehee :) I hope you do make them!

    Chele - You're very welcome! Hahaha I've had to make extra shelf space for all my crap!

    } toujours { - You're welcome! xx

    Emma @CakeMistress - Aww shucks! Thank you :)

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  33. I made these last night to bring them to work for my birthday lunch and everyone (inc. myself and bf!) LOOOOOVED these! They asked for the recipe and I told them to h ave a look at your blog! :) Thank you for posting this!! I'll definitely be making lots more of these in the near future!!

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  34. Clarissa- Yay! So glad everyone enjoyed them, this is definitely one of my favourite recipes and it's so good to get positive feedback!

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  35. Was searching for a quick and easy afternoon tea option and these turned out amazingly! Thanks so much for the recipe, love your blog :)

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