A little twist with a lot of flavor: Cinnamon Bourbon Blondies

I was dreaming about desserts again...it's a problem sometimes.  About different flavor combinations, about different textures, about yummy chewy blondies apparently.  I baked a little extra this week to grant a small wish.  I wish for cookies out of the blue.  So, I decided Friday was going to be cookie day, but then I had to decide what kind of cookies.  I mean where do you start?  Classic? Original? Soft and chewy? Crunchy and buttery?  The choices are endless.  I originally thought about making snickerdoodle bars, thanks to an old co-worker's pin on Pinterest.  Then I got to thinking about blondies, because I have never actually made blondies before.  So, I looked up Smitten Kitchen's recipe, saw that she had one with bourbon in it and new I was headed in the right direction.  

I have been on a serious bourbon cocktail kick lately you see.  Well I decided to try and put my own spin on her recipe, kind of combining the idea of the blondies with bourbon and my desire to make snickerdoodle bars.  Thus, we have cinnamon bourbon blondies with cinnamon in the dough and cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top.  These would be amazing served with vanilla ice cream and a cup of warm spiked bourbon cider.  They are a warm you up inside dessert with out actually being warm.   They are soft and chewy with just a little crunch from the cinnamon sugar. This is the dessert that I would serve the ladies of the Joy the Baker podcast if I ever had them over for dinner.  (P.S. Joy and Tracy are HILARIOUS and you should totally listen to their podcast!) Although, I have to admit if you are not a fan of bourbon, these are not for you. Enjoy!

Laying it all out.  This dessert is fairly simple and didn't require me making a special trip the to grocery store.

Brown sugar meet bourbon, butter, vanilla and eggs.

In with the dry ingredients and this dough comes together very easily.

Stop with about a tablespoon of cinnamon and sugar, and then into the oven.

Fresh out of the oven...these just need to cool for a few minutes.

Cinnamon Bourbon Blondies: (recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 tablespoon white sugar

1.  Spray an 8×8 pan with non stick cooking spray and line with parchment paper.

2.  In a large mixing bowl whisk together the melted butter with brown sugar, beat until smooth. Beat in the egg, bourbon and vanilla.

3.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt and flour. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet in two additions. 

4.  Pour the dough into prepared pan and spread out so that it is even in the pan.  Sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon white sugar mixed with the remaining teaspoon cinnamon.  Bake at 350 degrees F 18-22 minutes, or until set in the middle. Watch the cookies, because it is better for them to be slightly gooey than over baked.  Enjoy!