This morning I’ll be receiving my first formal culinary training. I’ve been wanting to take a cooking class for ages, and for Christmas, Dustin granted my wish! I wanted to learn something that I wouldn’t ordinarily make at home and so I chose puff pastry. I might be able to make a near-perfect pie crust, but I always thought of flakey layered puff pastry as something you purchased. No longer! (Or at least that’s what I’m hoping.) But even if my pastry creations disappoint, the experience should be fun!

As much as I love cooking (and eating healthy), I have a weakness for baking. I guess you could say that I cook out of necessity and bake for pleasure. Breads, cookies, cakes… I’m not ashamed to play favorites.  Let’s be real- the best prepared vegetable (and I like vegetables) will never produce the same reaction as a hot buttered slice of homemade bread or a warm and gooey chocolate chip cookie. So mingled amongst the nutritious and savory, I slip in something sweet and sinful every so often.

If you’re in the mood for a spectacular treat, try this one. This recipe is meant to mimick a dessert served at Applebee’s (I wouldn’t know, we don’t won’t eat there). It consists of three essential elements: a warm blonde “brownie” base stuffed with white chocolate chips and walnuts, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and a drizzle of hot maple cream sauce. You can even add more toasted walnuts on top. While each respective part is good, it’s the combination of the three that is unforgettable. Check back in a day or two for an easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe!

White Chocolate Walnut Blondies with Maple Cream Sauce

INGREDIENTS

Blondies:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 cups light brown sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips

Maple Cream Sauce:
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

vanilla bean ice cream, for serving
walnuts, toasted and chopped, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a separate large bowl, whisk to combine the melted butter and brown sugar until well-blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, until moist throughout (be careful not to overmix). Stir in the walnuts and white chocolate chips. (The batter will be very thick.)

3. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and baked in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving.

4. To prepare the maple cream sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the maple syrup and heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for about 30 minutes, until thickened and reduced by 1/3. Let cool slightly before serving. (Or refrigerate and reheat prior to serving.)

5. Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream over top of a warm blondie. Drizzle with warm maple cream sauce, sprinkle with toasted walnuts and serve.

Serves 12.

(Adapted from Tasty Kitchen)