I was blessed with the freedom to experiment in the kitchen as a child. Daily, weekly, monthly…whenever – I simply raided the cupboards and put together whatever I felt like or saw to amalgamate that day.
In the early days, I must admit, the results were neither pretty nor tasty.
For example: vanilla extract SMELLS great. Vanilla flavored good taste amazing.
Yet, craving that toasty sweetness and then taking a spoonful on the tongue are two entirely different sensations and end in a lesson well learned: vanilla extract is an enhancing, precious, and minuscule, concentrated ingredient!
While many childhood experimentations ended distastefully, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play and learn in the kitchen. Those days taught me to craft in the ways I do now: work with what you’ve got!
A cupboard full of dried cherries, chocolate covered cherries, white chocolate chips, and a fridge full of leftover orange juice = Cherry Orange Black and White Chocolate Blondie Cookie Bars.
And, just a touch of vanilla extract in these cookie dessert bars makes a great addition!
Cherry Orange Black and White Chocolate Blondie Cookie Bars
1 1/4 cup shortening or butter, room temperature
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. sea salt
3 cups all purpose flour
10 oz. white chocolate chunks
8 oz. dark chocolate covered cherries
8 oz. dried cherries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat together the butter/shortening, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and sea salt until smooth. Add the orange juice and mix well.
Add the flour and mix until well combined, 1/2 cup at a time. Add a touch more flour if the dough seems too wet.
Fold in the white chocolate, chocolate covered cherries, and dried cherries.
Allow the dough to “rest” for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Line a square baking dish with parchment paper and spread in the chilled dough.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until just beginning to brown.
Remove from the oven and cool for several hours before slicing and serving.
Cherry. Orange. Chocolate. White Chocolate. Vanilla.
All the things…all the YUMS! 😋
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