Chocolate and caramel syrup blondies

When I’m stressed I bake.  Some people go the gym, some people listen to music. I bake. I’m like the anti gym goers really.

This week has been pretty stressful. I’ll say my stress levels at times have gone through the roof and off into outer space sometimes. I’ve probably never cried so much in my life, which has led to some very awkward moments including many lecturers having to pass the tissues! So to give my lecturer a break, I decided I needed to get reacquainted with my spatula and wooden spoon.

This recipe is a win win situation in my view- baking being a great stress relief, but maybe more importantly, the indulging in chocolate. It can only have positive effects on the mind. However times like this call for a little more than simple Dairy Milk.

My Chocolate and caramel syrup blondies are the ultimate in feel good food. Soft yet sticky, chewy and chocolatey. I’m feeling less stressed just thinking about them!

To make 12 you will need:

• 250g plain flour 
• 175g unsalted butter
• 300g soft light brown sugar 
• 1 medium egg
• 1 egg yolk 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• Pinch of salt 
• 350g Galaxy Caramel chocolate
• 60ml Maple Syrup
• A preheated oven at Gas Mark 5/ 190 C 

In a mixing bowl, sift in the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.

In a saucepan, slowly melt your butter. Once done, pour in your maple syrup and stir in the sugar, until fully combined.

Take off the heat, and add in your egg and egg white and mix. Once it is looking all brown and gooey, pour into the flour mix.

This part will take good arm strength to stir- or a hunky muscley man’s effort. After all your effort, you will end up with a thick, heavy dough. Maybe test it with a spoon full… or 3. Well it would be wrong not to?

Finally chop/ smash your chocolate and roughly mix into the dough.

Once satisfied, pour into a greased baking dish and level. Put them in the oven for 20- 25 minutes depending on your liking. 20 minutes will be soft and fluffy, 25 minutes will be crisp and more chewy like.

Once they are done, transfer them onto a cooling rack… or you know eat them fresh out the oven. They say it gives you indigestion to eat too hot food, but forget that, these babies are too good to wait!

 My perfect way of eating them is hot, with a mug of thick hot chocolate, wrapped up in bed watching Homeland or Corrie... what, I’m northern?

If you are feeling stressed though, please don’t suffer on your own. Honestly, I feel so much better just having unloaded onto someone. Whether that is friends or family- or in my case my poor lecturer, it will be so good for you. I realize now that what I was stressing about just wasn’t that bad and things are actually pretty good in my life.

So if you are, bake some of my blondies, and invite girls over for a good chat.

blondies, Chocolate, Chocolate caramel syrup blondies, Comfort food, Food, Recipe