Monday, February 21, 2011

Bourbon Butterscotch Blondies


Over the past few years, my husband has become quite the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Connoisseur. It makes gift-giving easy, I just take him to the liquor store and let him choose, but if it was up to him we'd be there for hours! In a bit of irony, last fall we decided to go tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail this summer when we're in Cincinnati visiting family. I never was a big bourbon drinker, but now I definitely won't be involved in the sampling! 

When I saw these bars on Erin's Food Files, I knew they would be a great contribution to a family pot-luck we had on the calendar. These bars are so easy to make, and taste wonderful. The bourbon flavor is present, but not overpowering. The butterscotch tastes like caramel and the buttery bars melt in your mouth. The hardest part to making these was waiting on JJ to decide which bourbon he could spare. In the end, he decided to go with his favorite, and the one he's got the most of, Maker's Mark. I made a double batch of these bars, and put them in a 1/2 sheet pan, so they were pretty thin. I also made them again in a 9x13 pan and they were thick and more chewy, either way is delicious! 


Butterscotch Bourbon Bars

1 c. unbleached, AP Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1  c. light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. butterscotch chips
2 tbsp. Bourbon (great with both Maker's Mark and Old Granddad, Erin recommended Bulleit as well)

Preheat oven to 350*
In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.
In a small bowl, whisk butter, milk, vanilla and egg.
Pour wet into dry, add the bourbon and chips, and stir until flour is absorbed.
(Batter will be thick, do not overmix!)
Pour into a parchment lined 9" square pan, press with a spatula into an even layer.
Place in the oven, bake for 20 minutes, using a toothpick to test the center for doneness.
Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then remove from the pan and slice into bars. 

8 comments:

Kira said...

Yesss! I really need to make these. I think you'll find that you still enjoy the Bourbon Trail even if you can't sample!

Joanne said...

I've done whiskey in brownies but never bourbon in blondies! These sound delicious!

Kelly said...

These sound fantastic, though I am sad you made a treat that you couldn't sample. Or are these okay when you're pregnant because the alcohol cooks off. Either way they sound fantastic and I can absolutely see where bourbon would be a natural compliment to the caramel-y flavor of a blondie.

Lisa said...

Your blondies must really have some great flavor with all that butterscotch in them. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog and I'd like to invite you to stop by and link your blondies up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/02/sweets-for-saturday-6.html

Simply Life said...

wow, what a great idea!

VegeCooking Club said...

Ashe these have me drooling. Yum!

amish baby crib said...

This is definitely a must-try! Bourbon in blondies is something that gives me interest.

LauraJayne said...

I think your title (and three "B" words) made for a perfect recipe before I even read it! I can't wait to try these!