Like crack, only better...

My friend Sarah dropped by on Tuesday, but I needed some sort of dessert to share with her. I thought about it for a bit and decided to try my hand at making blondies. Yes, it's true, I'd never made blondies before! I honestly don't know if I've even eaten a blondie before. I never realized what I was missing out on! These things were like crack, only better!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Blondies with Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting

Batter:
2 1/4 cups (224 grams) flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 heaping teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (175 grams) margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup (200 grams) pumpkin puree
1 bar (usually 100-200 grams) dark chocolate (I used 83%), crushed into small pieces

Frosting:
1 package (6 oz. or 200 grams) low fat cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups (260 grams) powdered sugar (less if you don't like super-sweet frosting, but it won't be thick)
1 -2 teaspoons dark syrup or molasses


Preheat oven to 350F/177C.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth making sure to scrape the sides of bowl in the process.

Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each.

Add the pumpkin and blend well.

With your mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until well blended.

Finish by adding the chocolate pieces and incorporating them with a spoon.

Spread batter evenly into the prepared dish, it will be thick.

Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool completely.


For the frosting:

Beat together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add enough syrup or molasses for desired flavor and spreading consistency, mixing well, and frost the cooled blondies.

Cut into squares and try to resist the temptation to eat the entire batch in 5 minutes.

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