White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Blondies

Our Valentne's tradition is to cook a special dinner at home. We usually have candles, wine, and some other special things. This year I was trying to find a new dessert - something Derrick would love. Snickerdoodles are his favorite cookies (along with Michelle's chocolate chip cookie recipe), so I decided to try this bar from Sally's Baking Addiction. I came to terms that baking is not as much fun lately. Too much uncomfortable acid reflux issues and just wanting to sit down rather than measure, stir, and clean up. This might have been my last time really baking anything that takes any effort until Baby comes. I have to say the house smelled deliciously cinnamony while they were baking - I should have baked them while Derrick was home to enjoy it. He said these were the best dessert I've made - what a compliment!

2 1/3 cups flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (I used a little extra) white chocolate chips

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/3 cup granulated sugar 

Preheat oven to 350. Line pan with aluminum foil so that you can pull them out and cut them (I would say this is optional). You can use any size pan.  I used an 8x8 and they were very thick and took extra baking time. Sally says the best size is 11x7.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter with paddle attachment (I just used a hand mixer this time for convenience) on high speed at least one minute until creamy. Add sugars and beat 2 more minutes on high. Add eggs and vanilla and beat on high. Add dry ingredients on low speed until combined. Fold in white chocolate chips.

Spread half the batter in the pan. Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on this layer (save a little for the top). Then spread the rest of the batter on top. Sprinkle on the rest of the cinnamon sugar.

In the 8x8 pan it took 52 minutes in the convection oven. Sally says a 9x9 or 11x7 should take 30-35 minutes. 9x13 should take 22-26 minutes. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool completely and then cut.