White Chocolate~Macadamia Blondies

May marks the month that our oldest daughter was married in Maui and this year, she celebrated 12 years on the 18th.  However, Hawaii was also a big part of my mother's life when her father was stationed at Pearl Harbor in 1927 and she often shared stories of her time there.  Our daughter, Erin reminds me a lot of my mother...not just in looks, but in her strong commitment to family. 

Erin with Kelly's son, Ari in Hilton Head last week!

Macadamia nuts are like the "Cadillac" of nuts and their expense is well worth it.  It's primarily due to the harvesting and how hard the covering is to get to meat.  In addition, white chocolate just seems the natural accompaniment with macadamia and led me to creating this Blondie that would become a special treat for the workers adding the finishing touches to our home in 90-degree weather:-)

White Chocolate~Macadamia Blondies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. instant Espresso powder
2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups roughly chopped macadamia nuts (I cut them in quarters!)
8 oz. white chocolate, cut into chunks or a 12 oz. bag of white chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Butter a 9" x 12" baking pan.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar together.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Add the espresso powder and vanilla and mix well.

Stir in the flour, nuts and chocolate.  Spread mixture into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes (until a tester comes out cleanly from the center).  Remove from the oven and allow to cool.  

I loosen the edges with a straight spatula and then, removed the sides of the pan; if you're using a regular 9" x 13" pan, you will cut the blondies in the pan.

Cut into 24 squares.

The Blondies were moist and just the perfect treat to bring back some wonderful memories. Enjoy!