White Chocolate Blondies and Getting Sweeter

You’ll be pleased to know Arabella has had lovely class parties where the neapolitan cake and mini quiches were a huge success.  Such a success in fact that it has been requested I make a farewell cake for the entire year group.  Stagger me.

Helping the girls to make this group decision is the sad range of food that others brought to parties.  Bags of chips, packets of rice crackers with bought dips and soggy wraps that by lunchtime were slightly glued together.

White chocolate and macadamia brownies


Arabella’s last day of school also happens to be her 18th birthday.

‘You could make the ‘Farewell Year 12’ cake mum and then put a special ‘Happy Birthday’ message on it for me.  Isn’t that a great idea.  Oh, it’s going to be so much fun.  I can’t wait.  Do you want me to get out the cake books now, mum?  Shall we choose something?  I think something really bright and colourful and should we write ‘Happy Birthday’ to me on it somewhere?  What about those writing gels you’ve got?  They’ll do it.’

‘How’s the diet, Arabella?  How are you going with squeezing into that Valedictory Dinner dress we bought?’

‘Oh, I’ve got plenty of time, mum.  There’s still a week to go.  So isn’t that exciting.  Everyone wants you to make the cake.  You’re the queen of cakes, mum, everyone says so’.

Sweet treats

And so she rambled on; on a complete high as life when you’re 18 (almost) is just so exciting and making cakes to feed around 150 princesses plus hangers on (teachers) is just no trouble at all.

And you won’t believe it.  You’ll absolutely think I’m making it up, but Arabella has started going to a youth group once a month.  (That’s not the unbelievable part).  Tonight there’s a dinner at the youth leader’s house and hallelujah, dinner’s provided.  (That’s not the unbelievable part either).

‘Great, go, enjoy yourself, it’ll be fantastic, you’ll love it.  Let me know what she cooked for dinner.’

But this afternoon she came home and said, ‘Uhm mum, the youth leader’s providing the dinner but I’ve been asked to bring something sweet.  Something for dessert.  What can you make?’

I kid you not, it’s a true story.  So here’s my ‘something sweet’…

Brownies, but white brownies

White Chocolate and Macadamia Brownies

Makes:  16

Degree of Difficulty:  2/5

Cost:  White chocolate and macadamias are expensive but these brownies are worth it.

  • 150g unsalted butter
  • 150g white chocolate, chopped
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup full cream powdered milk
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup macadamia nuts, whole
  • 180g white chocolate, chopped
  • Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush a 20cm (base measurement) square cake pan with the melted butter to grease. Line the base and sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to overhang the sides.

Preheat oven to 180C.  Brush a 20cm square cake pan with the melted butter to grease.  Line the base and sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to overhand the sides.

Place the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until chocolate and butter melts and are well combined. Set aside to cool slightly. Add the eggs to the cooled butter mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Sift the flour, milk powder, sugar and baking powder into a medium bowl. Stir in the extra chopped chocolate and macadamia nuts. Add the butter mixture and stir until just combined.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes or until moist crumbs cling to a skewer when inserted into the centre. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely in the pan.
Cut into 16 squares.
This recipe is from Taste.

 

Comments

  1. YOU’RE the best something sweet, Charlie. 🙂

    I’m not familiar with blondies, nor too many kinds of brownies for that matter. I think I’ve only made them once in my life as I’m really NOT a sweet person when it comes down to it … barring cheesecakes, creme caramel, panna cotta and my favourite, sugar cookies. Oh, and cream puffs. I like cream puffs, a lot. To make and to eat.

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/

  2. Minnesota Prairie Roots says:

    Seems to me you’ve opened a bakery.

  3. Barb Bamber says:

    And lucky us.. we get the recipes and the photos! I think you’ve got to start a bakery soon, it sounds like you’re in business already, lol! These bars look so scrummity! (is that a word) xx

  4. White Chocolate and Macadamia cookies are so popular but I never thought to use that combo in brownies! These look SO rich, dense, and delicious. I can’t believe how much baking you’ve been doing. I think you should have made Arabella make them!

  5. The idea of baking a cake that can feed 150 people gives me the heebie-jeebies. What??? Surely it would have to be multiple cakes? Or a magical cake that keeps restoring itself at each cut, like the magic pudding?

    I once made white chocolate macadamia blondies for a friend suffering heartbreak. They’re good magic, those blondies.

  6. holy cow ! I wouldn’t have an oven big enough to make a cake for 150 ppl. Maybe make these brownies, stick them all together and ice it. 🙂

  7. Victoria at Flavors of the Sun says:

    You are a saint, Charlie. But you know, I completely understand. My own Mom always provided food for events and allowed everyone to crash and eat at our house. I did the same for my son. It’s what some of us do as mothers–and truly there are many out there who either don’t have the time or the know-how and just open packets of crisps and bring purchased dips. Can’t wait to see the birthday cake!

    Love the look of these brownies!

  8. YUM!!

  9. OMG Charlie, and you have a job too? I can’t believe how last minute Arabella is! Not with standing at that age, I was baking my own treats to take to school! It’s nice of you to for it for her. Particularly for 150 people!
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  10. OMG Charlie, and you have a job too? I can’t believe how last minute Arabella is! Not with standing at that age, I was baking my own treats to take to school! It’s nice of you to for it for her. Particularly for 150 people!
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  11. OMG Charlie, and you have a job too? I can’t believe how last minute Arabella is! Not with standing at that age, I was baking my own treats to take to school! It’s nice of you to for it for her. Particularly for 150 people!
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  12. You are actually the sweetest mum, doing so much for Arabella 😀
    I can see why you considered the school’s baking genius though, just look at your creations!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/

  13. Glamorous Glutton says:

    Oh Charlie I think you are officially the perfect mother!! And patient mother. Fabulous looking Blondies, packed with chocolate, literally. GG

  14. What had the school done previously, surely they had farewell cakes each year? Otherwise make One cake big enough for photos, all decorated and pretty, and another big slab cake, same flavour and frosting but plain, for slicing into 150 small cubes for consumption. Sucker! But then again, I worked all night at littlej’s youth group last week for a Master Chef evening. I guess we’re all suckers for our kids 🙂

  15. You are a baking machine, or at least your daughter thinks so. She must be secretly very proud of having you for a mum. Those blonde brownies look delicious.

  16. Jackie Brown says:

    Isn’t it lovely to have kids that love you so much… and how they think that we are machines and can come up with everything they want.

  17. Claire @ Claire K Creations says:

    That’s what happens when you get a reputation as such a good baker Charlie!
    Just a sneaky thought but if you want people to stop asking you could ‘fail’ at a recipe. Of course you’d have to do that on purpose because I’m pretty sure you couldn’t get a sweet treat wrong my accident!!

  18. I would totally eat those. I just love Arabella’s name. I keep envisioning her as this gorgeous princess.

  19. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    These look great. I really like macadamias.

  20. yummychunklet says:

    You know I prefer white chocolate, so these look perfect to me!

  21. I’m thinking it’s time you taught this girl to bake for herself, Charlie!

  22. Ohh these blondies look so sweet and yummy 🙂 I’ve never thought of using milk powder very smart! I know you feel Charlie! it’s flattering that Arabella keeps asking you to bake and bring something sweet, but it can be a bit of a burden and can be very stressful 🙂 But you’re doing a fantastic job ~ how much I wish my mother would bake cake for me! The only sweet thing she use to make for me was jelly hehe 😀

  23. Juliet Batten says:

    Your reputation has gone ahead of you! What’s that thing actors have, about not being type cast?

  24. I am bookmarking the recipe so that I can make it for my daughter’s farewell year2013.

  25. adrianfoodrehab says:

    I had one of these the other week but hello…yours look so much better.

  26. I never had white chocolate brownies…yes…where have I been? They look delicious especially with macadamias…yum!
    Arabella must be very proud of you…Queen of cakes 🙂
    Have a wonderful week Charlie!

  27. FiSh SzeHui says:

    white chocolate sounds interesting 🙂 have yet to try baking something delicious like this one. would love to try!

    Latest: Durian Dim Sum??

  28. justonecookbook says:

    You are so popular! I’ve never heard of white chocolate brownies and it’s very appealing!! White choco & macadamia is my favorite cookies too. I bet this brownie might be my kind of brownie! When I was growing up, my mom never baked, so I wanted to be a mom who bakes everything and brings to school etc, but in reality, I’m not even close to the ideal mom I was imagining. LOL. You are fantastic!

  29. Yum! I love white chocolate macadamia anything. Would love to try this recipe – thanks for sharing!

  30. Haha Arabella must be the most popular girl in class. With a Mum like you that bakes awesome treats of the class, how can you not earn brownie points (pun intended). I’m getting a bit bored with my usual brownie recipe so this White Choc one is such a nice change! You’re a genius! 😉

  31. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

    Charlie, it sounds like you’ll need to open up a cake shop along with that costume shop! 😛

  32. thelifeofclare says:

    Good luck with the cake for 150! What a mum to have, baking for the whole school (pretty much…)

  33. You’ve earned the crown! A cake for 150?! Can’t wait to see that one! In the meantime, I’m so going to make these! I love blondies especially with macadamia nuts – I agree so worth it!!!

  34. hahaha I so enjoyed this post! You cant hide anywhere Charlie!
    Again that is a great treat!

  35. Ha! This cracked me up. I think you should start charging for catering services…

  36. Well, you really are the Queen of Cakes, Charlie.. 😀

  37. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says:

    Well, you wanted to be so darn good at cooking and baking…
    🙂 Mandy xo

  38. I love that “everyone” says you’re the Queen of Cakes! Well, put my name on that list, too, will you? And these brownies are wonderful, Charile. I really can’t wait to make them. I don’t have nearly the number of special occasions that you do in order to have a reason to try out some of your wonderful baking recipes. If I made them just for my husband and me we’d be in real trouble! So I think I’ll make these brownies this week and take them to work…university students will love them! And a very Happy Birthday to a lovely Miss Arabella. She’s adorable!

    • hotlyspiced says:

      Thanks Debra, yes, the countdown for the birthday is on. She can’t wait to turn 18. That’s the ‘legal’ age here.

  39. Yes, I agree with Debra and everyone that you are the Queen of Cakes but you are also the Empress of Patience. I don’t not know exactly at what point she would have said it but, somewhere along this story line, my Mom would have said, “No!” and one of the parties, get togethers, or whatever, would have been without the Queen’s work. Job could have learned a thing or two from you, Charlie. 🙂

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