Caramel Blondies (gluten free)

 Modified these almond flour blondies to include a delicious caramel twist.  Inspired by these.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• ▢3/4 cup brown sugar
• ▢1/2 cup white sugar
• ▢2 eggs
• ▢2 teaspoons vanilla
• ▢1 3/4 cup almond flour
• ▢1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢1 'sharing size' package of caramel M&Ms

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan and line with parchment overhanging the edges to serve as a handle to lift out finished bars.  Don't skip this step!

2. Mix together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add in eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. 

3. Add baking powder, salt, and almond flour and beat until mixed.  Add in caramel M&Ms and beat on high until they begin to break up.  Don't worry about overmixing the dough- it's almond flour and won't get tough.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for at least 30 minutes.  It needs to be fully set in the middle to be done.  

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Chai Sugar Cookies

I became addicted to chai after spending time in India and Nepal.  It seemed natural to bring those flavors to my baking during the holidays.  These are directly from this website, only stored here for prosperity.

Ingredients:

Chai Sugar Mixture:

    1 3/4 cups white sugar
    2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    1 teaspoon ground ginger
    1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups Chai sugar mixture (above)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 3/4 cups flour

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350

°

2. Make the chai sugar mixture.  Reserve 1/2 cup for rolling.  Add the rest to a large bowl and mix with 1 cup butter.  Cream until light and fluffy. 

3. Add egg, vanilla, salt and mix until combined. 

4. Add in baking powder, baking soda, and flour. 

5.  Roll dough into small balls.  Roll each ball in the reserved chai sugar mixture.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, then move to cooling rack. 

Chocolate Orange Cookies

I had the most amazing Chocolate Orange cookie at a Pret in London during my year of travels.  This is my attempt to recreate it at home.  It's based on this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• zest of a large orange
• juice of large orange, divided in half
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 Terry's chocolate orange, chopped into fine pieces
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F

2. Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and mix until combined.

3. Add in the orange zest and juice from half the orange.  

4. Slowly beat in baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.  Mix until thoroughly combined. 

5. Add flour a small amount at a time, careful not to overmix.  Add in chopped chocolate-orange bits at the end. 

6. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.

7. To make glaze, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar with the juice from the other half of the orange.  Drizzle over cooled cookies, and let set before storing.