Green Tea Cardamom Blondies with Pistachios

When I found out that Simply Sesame was having a blogger challenge I was all in. I'd heard of their creamy spreads before so coming up with a new recipe for them was exciting. They come in in 3 delicious flavors. Pure Roasted Sesame, Vanilla with Almond Bits and Pistachio Morsels with a hint of Cardamom which is the one I chose for this recipe.

If you haven't baked with Cardamom before it's reminiscent of ginger and  Simply Sesame with the Pistachio Morsels and a hint of Cardamom has the perfect amount and it paired so well along with the Matcha Green Tea in these blondies.

Simply Sesame is a fantastic snacking option too. All the spreads are Non GMO, All-Natural and Gluten Free.

Head over to the Simply Sesame website on how to buy and find more recipes and you can purchase directly from Amazon too. Be sure to follow Simply Sesame on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and stay in the know!

GREEN TEA CARDAMOM BLONDIES with PISTACHIOS

Batter Ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup Simply Sesame w/ Pistachio Morsels & hint of Cardamom

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/3 tsp. baking soda

1 TBLSP. matcha green tea powder

Icing Ingredients:

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 TBLSP. Simply Sesame Pistachio Morsels & hint of Cardamom

2 TBLSP. milk

*1 cup chopped pistachios and

1 TBLSP. matcha green tea powder*

(for topping after icing)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spray 9x9 baking pan with cooking spray.

1. In large bowl mix together butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time. Stir in the 1/2 cup  Simply Sesame Pistachio Morsels & hint of Cardamom until smooth.

2. Add salt, flour,baking powder, baking soda and matcha green tea. Mix until combined.

3. Spread batter into pan and bake 20-25 mins. Until lightly browned.

Make the Icing:

Cream together cream cheese, 3 TBLSP. Simply Sesame Pistachio Morsels & hint of Cardamom, powdered sugar and milk. Pour over warm blondies. *Top with the 1 cup chopped pistachios and dust with 1 TBLSP. matcha green tea powder.*

Cool before cutting into 16 squares.

Cranberry Tangerine Pecan Mini Pies

Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries will really get your creative cranberry juices going. The smells that came from my kitchen when I made these darling little Cranberry Tangerine Pecan Mini Pies were the kind that conjure up warm fuzzy feelings of coziness.

Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants now is the time of year to take full advantage of all the benefits of cranberries by adding them into daily meals. Cranberries are super versatile so try them in main dishes and appetizers too. October through December is when they're at peak time and that makes cranberries perfect for all your holiday recipes.

I ended up making 2 batches and freezing one of them so all I had to do was warm them up in the oven before company dropped by but be sure to cover the little pies with foil when you do. All the wonderful spice scents filled my house again and your guests will love it!

I folded in a bit of the reserved cooking liquid from the cranberries to make a spiced cranberry whipped cream. It's optional but we like it!

CRANBERRY TANGERINE PECAN MINI PIES

Ingredients:

1 16 oz. bag CAPE COD SELECT PREMIUM FROZEN CRANBERRIES

1 15 oz. can tangerines,drained

3/4 cup chopped pecans

3 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon corn starch

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated tangerine zest

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 package refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

*Pre heat oven to 350 degrees

1. In saucepan over medium heat, add Cape Cod Select Cranberries along with all other ingredients EXCEPT tangerines and pecans.

2. Cook until thickening begins. About 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in tangerines and pecans. *reserve 1 Tblsp. cooked juice for whipped cream*

3. Using a 12 count mini pie tin (disposable foil tins are fine)line with pie crust, trim to fit with scissors and crimp down edges with fork. Fill with cranberry tangerine filling.

4. Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Let set 5 minutes before removing from tins. Makes/Serves 12.

optional *gently fold in reserved 1 Tblsp. juice from cooking liquid into whipped cream and top pies*

You can find Cape Cod Select Frozen Cranberries nationwide so be sure to use the store locator here or if you prefer just order online.

Make sure you follow Cape Cod Select on Social Media to stay in the loop on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

I received a sample of this product to create this recipe.