Not only do I have this tower of dark chocolate blondies in my house, but I also have my little sister here. Noelle flew in from West Virginia today and saw Lucy for the very first time. I don’t know who was more excited about her arrival: Noelle, Lucy or me! Seeing my baby sister walk towards me, (no, us!) nearly brought tears to my eyes. I miss her terribly, and it’s broken my heart to not have her nearby during Lucy’s first few weeks of life. I grew up with her by my side. She clung to my dress as a toddler, we shared a secret language, and we’ve cried and laughed together like all sisters do. I’m so thankful she could take time out of her busy schedule to come see us. We’re in for a very good week.
These blondies came about after a quick facebook survey: Apple Pie Blondies or Chocolate Hazelnut cookies? The chocolate hazelnut cookies won, hands down. But when I thought about a thick and chewy bar, my stomach growled. And so I combined both of my proposals into one: Dark Chocolate Blondies with a Hazelnut Crumb. Noelle’s arrival served as the perfect occasion to make these treats!
Roasted cinnamon, vanilla extract, dark chocolate, and toasted hazelnuts elevate these bars. I used McCormick spices and extracts for this recipe…their roasted cinnamon is a must-have. My sister took a bite and said, “these remind me of fall,” and I agree, these bars are perfect for September. Ryan and I live right next door to an elementary school, and with the advent of autumn we now watch kindergarteners play and form alliances on the playground. The school’s PTA is hosting a bake sale next week, and I can’t help but think that these bars would be the most popular item sold.
I had these in the oven within 30 minutes but they made my house smell better than it has in weeks. These are the recipes I love: simple yet flavorful. The dark chocolate and the toasted hazelnuts added a depth of color and flavor to the classic golden blondie. And when I gave a sample to my family this evening? Well, there were no words…just very happy mouths.
Dark Chocolate Blondies with a Hazelnut Crumb
Dark Chocolate Blondies
8 TBSP butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dark chocolate chips
Hazelnut Crumb
4 TBSP butter, melted and cooled
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
1 teaspoon McCormick Roasted Cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 8 TBSP melted butter with 1 cup brown sugar. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Fold in flour and chocolate chips. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, chopped hazelnuts, and roasted cinnamon. Pour 4 TBSP melted butter over top and stir until crumbs begin to form (I used my fingers!)
Spread blondie mixture into pan and cover generously with crumb mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the middle of the blondies have just begun to set.
These bars look amazing, what a lovely fall recipe! I can’t wait to make a batch and make my house smell amazing.
I hope you’ve had a great time with your sister :-*
Gorgeous blondies! 😀 I’ll love to take a bite into one too! Your sister is even more gorgeous!:D
These blondies look amazing. I’ve always loved blondies, but I’ve never added anything to them — just had them plain. Your version looks like a fantastic way to jazz them up.
I hope you enjoy having your sister in town. Sibling time is so precious!
Aww I’m so happy that your sister is able to come visit! That must feel so good. 🙂
But as good as these bars taste??? Well..that would be close. 🙂
Yay for sisters! And, as an aside, I love the name “Noelle” (it is currently being considered as a middle name for our lady arriving in November!).
These blondies look so decdent!
^decadent
your recipes are so inspiring!
Whoa! These looks amazing!!! They looks so moist and soft!!! Love the combination of the dark chocolate and hazelnut!! Yum!
Oh WOW! You definitely combined the best of both desserts with these dark chocolate blondies! It’s like you put all of my favorite ingredients into one dessert 🙂 And it looks like Noelle is enjoying one! It’s so wonderful to have family in town, especially sisters. I see a fun week ahead for all of you – and I see these blondies in my future! I guess I’ll just have to go out and get some more chocolate … 😉
These blondies looks divine! What a wonderful treat! Combining the blondies with the hazelnut crumb is simply amazing!
You have a very gorgeous sister! Hope you have a super wonderful week together!
Oh my, I would love one of these right now! With the dark chocolate and hazelnut?? Sounds amazing! And yay for your sister coming to visit! I hope you have a wonderful time with her! My sister lives far away too so it’s always so nice when she visits (or vice versa).
I love hearing about the bond between you and your sister. She is absolutely stunning!
I cook often, but I’m not the best baker. Hearing how creative everyone is in the blogging world is so inspiring! Your blondies look fabulous and I have them bookmarked for the weekend!
So exciting that Noelle’s in town and that she got to meet Lucy for the first time! I can just imagine you all sitting around your home and enjoying these beautiful, scrumptious blondies! Lovely recipe, Monet.
Oh YUM!!!! My daughter has been begging me to come up with a GF version of a blondie…These look like they would be easy to transform.. Lovely flavor combination- my mouth is watering!
Love that your sister finally visited! I know how exicted I was to finally meet each of my nieces for the first time!
These guys sounds like they’d be perfect with a big glass of the new season’s apple cider. 🙂 Have an amazing time visiting with your sister!
How lovely to have such a bond! These blondies look absolutely fabulous… wish I had some here!
So nice that your sister got to come out and visit. It’ll be even more fun when Lucy is older and she can spend some great girl time with her mom and aunt.
Your sister is so pretty, tell me she IS wearing make-up… that skin!
And the blondies- sounds so EASY!!! pinning it!
How nice your sister is there! And how nice of you to make these wonderful blondies for her (and us! don’t forget us!). Really good stuff – thanks.
Monet, I’m so glad your little sister is there visiting you and your family. I’m sure she is enjoying every second she is there with you, Ryan, and Lucy. These bars look so delicious. Pour me a big glass of milk and cut me a bar – please!
Enjoy your sister time, Monet! I will be seeing two of mine in the coming week…and hope to bake for them, too. Your bars look absolutely top notch…decadent and irresistible!
Monet,
These blondies are amazing with the dark chocolate and Hazelnut combo. I can’t wait to try these.You are so lucky to have a sister, and an Aunt for Lucy! So nice that Noelle finally got to meet Lucy!
I am all about chocolate and hazelnut. These look so gooey and decadent. Hope you have a great visit with your sister!
The blondies look so delicious, my mouth is watering looking at all the pictures! So nice that your sister is there to visit…enjoy and have a great time together!
How wonderful to be with your sister!! Wishing you so much happiness together. 🙂 These blondies are gorgeous and so moist. 🙂
Your lil sis looks just like you, Monet – you’re both gorgeous ladies! And talk about gorgeous – these blondies are killing me! I love that incredible mix of spices and flavours you have in there, not to mention that unbelievable hazelnut crumb. Crumb topping makes everything better.
Have a lovely week with your sister! These blondies look so good, they are making my mouth water!
My sister is coming to visit this weekend! Love family visits. 🙂
I was drooling over these when you posted them on instagram– they look SO good!
These blondies look incredible, Monet. That hazelnut crumb topping is the killer!
These look sinful!! Just sinful!! They look like if you started you wouldn’t be able to stop eating them haha
Your sister looks a lot like you! What a beautiful family that little Lucille joined 😉
this blondies made me dream… I would love to have a batch to share with our students right now!
Oh my gosh, these look SO GOOD!!! I love that they’re ooey gooey…and hazlenut chocolate is like the perfect combo. I’m totally making these soon. So happy that you got to have your sister visit you!!
both you sisters are soooo adorable. I dont even know what to say about these blondies – love everything in here. I have not heard about roasted cinnamon yet..
Your blondies look wonderful! And I hope you post those apple pie blondies some time, too.
Sign me up for a dozen! Love love love chocolate and hazelnuts. Looks divine.
I just love you and your sisters names! What a lovely experience throughout. I’m so interested in this roasted cinnamon. You should totally post about the bake sale, that would be neat =)
Awwww it’s wonderful that your sister is visiting!!! I’m sure it’ll be amazing….just like these bars!! I want them SO badly!!! Dark chocolate + a hazelnut crust is heavennnn! Pinning!
Oh, you have such a beautiful blog Monet! Thanks for sharing this post with us. Glad that you got to spend some quality time with your sister (and that she got to meet Lucy, yay!) and that the both of you enjoyed this gorgeous blondie recipe! What genius… combining the best of both worlds into a chewy, delicious slice of chocolate and nut heaven. I’ll definitely be trying your recipe. Thanks lovely xx
I am digging these blondies, especially that crumb! I would gobble these all up!
Delicious blondies and I love the combination of flavors from chocolate and hazelnuts. Perfection! So glad you got to spend some quality time with your beautiful sister!
What wonderful new memories for you and your sister to make! It is wonderful for all of you to get together during these happy times in life. Blessings dear and hugs, Catherine xo
So happy for you that your little sister (she’s gorgeous!) came to visit and got to meet Lucy for the first time! Love your dark chocolate blondies, and hazelnut crumb on top sounds perfect with dark chocolate.
These look amazing and I can practically smell them through my computer from your description! I rarely think to buy or use hazelnuts but I’m not sure why because I love them! Hope you’re having a great week with your sister!
Wow, you’re killing me with these blondies here Monet! I have a weakness for hazelnuts and chocolate, and I totally agree on the cinnamon. So gorgeous these bars. Enjoy your sister!
Everything about these blondies sounds incredible! hope you’re having a great time with your sister!