Blondies with Chocolate Ganache

I've learned two things about college.

The first is that, when you're on campus, you can always tell the arts students and nursing students apart from all the other students. The nursing students are always in scrubs and the arts students are always lugging around giant portfolios. Other than that, it's pretty much a guessing game when it comes to figuring out other students' majors. The second thing is that you should not wander around the area where the respiratory care classes are, especially if some of the lights are off. There are body parts everywhere and it is just generally creepy. The list could probably go on for a while ... maybe I'll compile all of my bits of wisdom that I've learned in college and share them sometime.


But for now, I'm going to focus on food. After all, it's what I'm good at and what I love. Because, really, what's not to love about chocolate chip cookie bars with chocolate ganache slathered all over the top? If you answered "nothing", you are correct. I had a few issues with the ganache which is why it looks a little bit thin and runny, but I promise, it's super easy and as long as you follow the directions, you'll be a-okay. It was actually a careless mistake on my part - I've made ganache a ton of times and this was the first time I've had trouble. These Blondies with Chocolate Ganache should definitely happen soon!

Blondies with Chocolate Ganache (Source: My Baking Addiction)

12 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups chocolate chips

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13" x 9" pan; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and both sugars. Mix in egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Gradually add in dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt). Stir in chocolate chips. Spread the dough in prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until set and golden brown around the edges.
Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Heat the heavy cream in the microwave in 30-second increments until hot, but not quite boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until smooth. Spoon the ganache over each individual cookie bar. YIELD: about 24 cookie bars

Have a great day! Come back soon :)