"Blondies" for MARCUS

A Piece of Cake

By Pat O’Keefe

As
most of you know I LOVE to bake.  I have
a very good friend who tells me anything I bake for him is terrific, so how can
I not continue to supply him with the treats he loves?  He has been the recipient of many an experimental
recipes but this time I thought I would create a recipe just for him.  Marcus loves peanut butter so here is what I
came up with.

MARCUS Blondies

2-sticks
butter (1/2 pound)

1
and 1/2-Cups light brown sugar

2-eggs

1-teaspoon
EACH baking powder, baking soda and salt

2-Cups
all-purpose flour

1
and 1/4-Cupo REESES Peanut Butter Chips

1/2-Cup
chopped nuts of your choice

Preheat
oven to 375º Grease and flour or use parchment paper lined 15X11 jelly roll
pan, set aside.  Beat butter and sugar
until well combined, add eggs and continue to combine.  Add baking powder, baking soda and salt
combine well and then slowly on low speed add the flour, peanut butter chips
and nuts.

Spread
mixture into jelly roll pan.  Bake for
18-20 minutes.  The dough will puff up
slightly then recede and everything will be golden brown.  As soon as you take the pan out of the oven
run a knife around the edges.  Cool for
10 minutes in the pan then invert, continue to cool and then cut into desired
squares.

Tips:  The batter will spread easier if you wet your
spatula slightly.  Always lightly toast
the nuts you use for more depth of flavor. 
I toast mine while the oven is heating, but watch carefully that they do
not burn.

I
will be happy to send you my weekly recipes via email just contact me at apieceofcake@optonline.net  On the Web at www.patokeefe.net Web site has an
extensive collection of recipes with more added frequently.  Need a past recipe or have a question, I will
do my best to help, just email me. ENJOY!