Chewy Irish Coffee Blondies

You all know how much I love to bake and since St. Patrick's Day is right around the wee bend. I couldn't wait a moment longer to share with you a fabulous recipe that I started making a few years ago. I'm  a fan of Martha Stewart and get very excited when I come across one of her recipes that I can actually master and these "Chewy Irish Coffee Blondies" will make you a superstar! There's a hint of fresh ground coffee and a touch of Irish Whiskey that merge beautifully with the tender crunch of the almonds. This is a classy yet simple recipe and I can't wait for you all to let me know what you think.                                                                                                                                       

Ingredients

• For the Blondies

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for pan
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups packed light-brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons freshly ground coffee
  • Salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, skin on

• For the Glaze

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter, warm
  • 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

1. Make the blondies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, and line with parchment so that it overhangs on all sides. Butter parchment. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. Melt butter, and pour into a mixing bowl with brown sugar, ground coffee, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Pour batter into pan, and sprinkle with almonds. Bake 27 to 30 minutes, depending on how chewy you like your blondies (a shorter baking time results in a chewier blondie). Let cool completely.
3. Make the glaze: Whisk together butter and whiskey. Gradually whisk in confectioners' sugar until glaze is thick but pourable (you may not need all the sugar). Using a spoon or a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip, drizzle glaze over blondies in a rough crosshatch pattern. Let glaze dry 1 hour. Cut blondies into 2-inch squares.

Cook's Note

Blondies can be stored at room temperature up to 2 days.