Peanut Butter Cup Blondies & Red Velvet Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies and Red Velvet Cupcakes are just two of the items I have packed ready to bring up to my daughter and her college roommates.  I promised her I'd make dinner for her and her friends this week because they are starving to death up there eating cafeteria food.  Well maybe not literally, but by the way she was acting; definitely a little homesick for good food.

Yesterday I spent all day baking and today I will go up there and prepare the rest of their feast.  Tri-tips, chicken, asiago augratin potatoes, salad, zombies (don't worry we will get to those), a chocolate mousse pie, peanut butter cup blondies and red velvet cupcakes.  Let's just hope I have enough!

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped peanut butter cups, chopped into 1/2- inch pieces

In a mixer beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.  Add both sugars and beat for another 3 minutes, until well incorporated.  Add the eggs one by one, beating for 1 minute after each addition, then beat in the vanilla.  Add peanut butter and mix till combined.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Beat one more minute.  Add chocolate chips and peanut butter cups and mix in by hand.

Spread in a buttered 11"X13" baking pan and bake in 325 degree F oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely and cut into bars.  Store in an airtight container.

I've never made blondies before, but I think I shall be making these again with some other add-ins.

Enjoy,

Gina