Toffee Chocolate Chip Blondies

for as much as i talk about my love of chocolate, you may be surprised to know i actually prefer blondies to brownies. maybe it's because i am really picky about my brownies - they have to be super chocolaty and gooey and served warm with vanilla ice cream. there is just something about a cakey brownie that i can't get excited about.

i guess if i am really honest, i am a bit the same about blondies too. i love them gooey. perhaps my love of blondies is subliminally from my husband. i know if i make blondies, E will help me eat them. if i make brownies. chances are i will be finishing them off all by myself. when it comes to baked goods, i like to share - a lot. i don't want to realize i have eaten a whole batch of baked goods (be it cupcakes, cookies, bars, etc.) all by myself. it's not good for my mental stability or for my thighs.

something tells me this combination of toffee chips and chocolate chips are going to guarantee E will be more than enough help with these blondies. the crazy thing is the dates. i don't want you to be surprised when you read through the ingredients and see them there. you may be inclined to omit them (which, of course, you can) but i have to adamantly discourage it. you don't really taste the dates but they make the blondies incredibly moist and add a little bit of chewiness. plus, aren't dates considered good for you??

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Toffee Chocolate Chip Blondies
adapted from how to cook anything

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup toffee bits
1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

chop 1/2 cup dates with 1 tbs flour in food processor. process until dates are all minced.

mix brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. reduce speed to low and add flours and salt. when flour is all mixed in, add minced dates, toffee bits, and mini chocolate chips. pour mixture in greased 8x8" pan.

bake for 20-25 minutes until middle is set according to your tastes. if you like your blondies gooey, bake less time. if you like them more cakey, cook for more time until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

let cool on rack before cutting and serving.