Irresistible Spice Cake Caramel Blondies: A Delight from “Dessert Mash-Ups”
Experience the ultimate indulgence with these super soft blondies, generously studded with warm, aromatic spices and luscious chocolate-caramel candies. These Spice Cake Caramel Blondies are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of flavor and texture, perfect for any occasion.
Once you’ve savored these delightful blondies, don’t miss out on trying these Caramel Brownies for an equally enchanting chocolate variation!
My Enduring Love Affair with Cookbooks
It’s probably no secret to my loyal readers that I harbor a deep, unshakeable affection for cookbooks. In an age dominated by digital recipes, there’s a unique comfort and joy found in flipping through the tangible pages of a beautifully printed cookbook. The scent of paper, the vibrant images, the handwritten notes scribbled in the margins – these sensory details create an experience that digital screens simply cannot replicate. It’s about more than just instructions; it’s about the connection to the culinary journey, the inspiration, and the promise of delicious creations.
And as autumn leaves begin to fall, ushering in the cozy baking season, it feels like Christmas has arrived early here in my kitchen. The air is practically buzzing with excitement as a flurry of incredible new cookbooks hits the shelves. This annual season of cookbook releases is something I eagerly anticipate, and it fills me with an almost childlike glee. Each new arrival holds the potential for countless culinary adventures, new techniques to master, and, of course, many mouth-watering treats to share with family and friends.
Discovering “Dessert Mash-Ups” by Dorothy Kern
Among the most anticipated releases this season was Dorothy Kern’s inaugural cookbook, Dessert Mash-Ups. Many of you are likely already familiar with Dorothy’s ingenious culinary creations from her incredibly popular blog, Crazy for Crust. The news of her publishing a cookbook sent ripples of excitement through the baking community, and I was absolutely thrilled to finally hold a copy in my hands. This book is a true testament to her creativity, packed with innovative dessert ideas that blend familiar favorites into something entirely new and exciting.
This cookbook is a treasure trove of imaginative dessert mash-ups, featuring everything from delightful Sugar Cookie Dough Cups to a rich Peanut Butter Cookie Cake, and even decadent Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cupcakes. Each recipe promises a unique twist on classic desserts, sparking inspiration and daring bakers to try something different. Interestingly, my copy of the book initially took a scenic detour, mistakenly being shipped to my sister’s house. On a day my mom happened to be in my neighborhood, she kindly picked it up for me. She confessed that she had already perused its pages and absolutely adored it, exclaiming how much she would love to bake from it. (Perhaps a subtle hint for a Christmas present idea!).
My sentiments are entirely aligned with hers. “Dessert Mash-Ups” is an undeniably fun cookbook, brimming with so many enticing recipes that I’m determined to try them all! It’s the kind of book that makes you want to drop everything and head straight to the kitchen. Dorothy’s approach to baking is both playful and accessible, making even the most intricate-sounding mash-ups feel achievable for home bakers.
A Closer Look at the Cookbook: My Honest Thoughts
Upon diving into “Dessert Mash-Ups,” here are my key observations:
- Number of Photos: Abundant and Inspiring
Every single recipe in the book is accompanied by a beautiful, full-page photograph. This is a huge bonus for any baker, as it eliminates guesswork and provides a clear visual guide for what the finished product should look like. The high-quality photography alone makes the book a joy to browse, inspiring confidence and enthusiasm before you even start mixing ingredients. - Difficulty Level of Recipes: Ranging from Easy to Medium
While a few recipes might present a slight challenge for absolute beginner bakers, such as those involving pie crusts or cake rolls, the vast majority are refreshingly straightforward. The book is cleverly balanced with an abundance of super easy recipes that are perfect for getting started, like the whimsical Payday Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats or the incredibly simple Cake Batter Blondie Bars. Dorothy’s clear instructions ensure that bakers of all skill levels can find something enjoyable to create. - Availability of Ingredients: Readily Accessible
One of the most practical aspects of this cookbook is that all the ingredients required are standard items readily available at your local grocery store. There are no obscure or hard-to-find components, which means you can easily whip up a recipe on a whim without needing to embark on a special ingredient hunt. This makes spontaneous baking sessions a real possibility!
More Recipes from “Dessert Mash-Ups” I’m Eager to Try:
- Almond Joy Dip – Sounds like a perfect party appetizer!
- Milky Way Brownie Pie – A delightful combination of two classic desserts.
- Lemon Meringue Pie Fudge – Intrigued by this sweet and tangy fusion.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Cake – A dream come true for peanut butter lovers.
- S’morescake – Who can resist a s’mores-inspired cake?
The Thrill of Cookbook Roulette: Baking Spice Cake Caramel Blondies
I genuinely cannot recount the number of times I changed my mind trying to decide which recipe to bake first from this magnificent cookbook. The choices were overwhelming! Initially, I was drawn to the intriguing Lemon Meringue Pie Fudge, then my attention shifted to the rich promise of the Milky Way Brownie Pie. This constant indecision led me to revisit a fun little game I call “cookbook roulette.”
The rules are quite simple: you just start flipping through the pages of the cookbook, and the recipe you happen to stop on is the one you commit to making. Given the sheer brilliance of every recipe in “Dessert Mash-Ups,” I knew I couldn’t possibly go wrong. My excitement soared when my finger finally landed on the page for these enchanting Spice Cake Caramel Blondies. It felt like destiny!
As a devoted Rolo fan (they’re genuinely one of my all-time favorite candy bars), I had an immediate feeling that these spice cake blondies were destined for greatness. And to my delight, Dorothy, much like myself, advocates for baking these blondies until they are “just a little bit undercooked.” This philosophy, which results in the most wonderfully chewy and gooey texture, resonated deeply with my own baking preferences. Yes. Yes. And absolutely, yes!
The journey to creating these blondies begins with a remarkably simple blondie base, infused with all the comforting, warm spices and inviting flavors typically found in a classic spice cake. But the magic truly happens when you incorporate a generous amount of Rolos directly into the batter. Then, to elevate this dessert to an even higher plane of deliciousness, the entire surface is adorned with yet more Rolos. The result, in my humble opinion, is nothing short of Caramel Spice Cake Blondie heaven. The interplay of the soft, spiced blondie with the pockets of melted, gooey caramel and chocolate from the Rolos is utterly divine.
There was a slight protest from my children during the preparation phase, as they were quite keen on “sampling” (read: stealing) the Rolos. However, their initial dismay quickly vanished the moment they each received one of the freshly baked blondies. My youngest, in particular, was so smitten that he continued to request more for days after we had made them. I’d consider that an unequivocal success in any parent’s cookbook!
These Spice Cake Caramel Blondies are wonderfully sweet, so a small piece truly goes a long way. But let me offer a fair warning: you’ll likely find yourself irresistibly drawn back to the pan for “just a little piece” more than once. I actually had to resort to hiding them from myself to prevent constant snacking! Beyond their incredible flavor, they boast an exceptionally soft texture that miraculously stays soft and moist for days, making them perfect for enjoying over time (if they last that long!).
I am already bubbling with anticipation to explore more culinary delights from this fantastic cookbook. Dorothy Kern has truly created a masterpiece for dessert lovers.
Explore More Blondie Recipes
If you’re a fan of the delightful blondie, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes:
- Marshmallow Butterscotch Blondies
- Zesty Orange Blondies
- Funfetti Cake Batter Blondies
- Classic Blondie Recipe
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Spice Cake Caramel Blondies
Deborah Harroun
15 minutes
25 minutes
40 minutes
24 servings
Dessert
American
Pin
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- About 50 Rolos (11 oz bag), divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, or for easy cleanup, line with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, allspice, nutmeg and cloves.
- In another bowl, cream the brown sugar and butter. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat to combine. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Stir 30 of the Rolos into the batter.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan. (The dough is sticky, so if needed, spray your hands with cooking spray so that you can spread it out.) Place the remaining 20 Rolos over the top of the batter, pressing them in lightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. (The bars will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven.)
- Cool completely before slicing into squares.