blondies

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake

Posted by on Sep 17, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, cheese galore, chocolate, pumpkin | 0 comments

Cake is good. This Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake is very good.

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake

The texture here is cakey and moist. And it gets moister over time, as is often the case with pumpkin baked goods. Therefore, I’ll say straight out that this is best eaten within 2 days. Not like it’s totally awful after that, but it can tend toward soggy. (Soggy and cake is only good if you’re talking something like Tres Leches.)

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake

This is a versatile kind of cake that would work for a special breakfast or brunch, not just dessert.

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cake

This moist, luscious cake abounds in chocolate and pumpkin flavor. It is best eaten within 2 days, as the texture will become moister over time.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: cake, chocolate, cream cheese, pumpkin
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 15×10 pan (jelly roll pan)
  • aluminum foil
  • nonstick spray
  • waxed paper

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree 1 can
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Swirl

  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block) softened
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tablespoon milk or half & half

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 15×10-inch pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
  • In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cloves. Add the pumpkin puree. Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the oil. Spread batter in prepared pan.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips in the microwave.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with the remaining sugar. Add the egg and milk. Fold in the melted chocolate until the entire mix is consistently brown.
  • Spoon the filling over the pumpkin batter. Use something like a butter knife to create swirls throughout the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips over the top.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test. Let cool for a while at room temperature, then put in fridge to fully chill.
  • Slice in pan to serve, or use the foil to lift contents onto a cutting board to slice. If keeping in pan, store covered in fridge; if removing from pan, be sure to use waxed paper between the stacked layers and store in fridge. Best eaten within 2 days.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    Posted by on Jul 30, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, cookies, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    These Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars are SO GOOD, people. Fruity, almondy, chewy, crunchy, sweet. A lot of awesome adjectives.

    Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    These bars are cousins of the Dutch Letter Bars I recently shared. The amounts produced are quite different–note that this recipe calls for a 15×10 pan (aka a jelly roll pan). This is a recipe to feed a potluck, truly.

    Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    Use whatever fruit spread you want here. I went cheap and used a mixed berry variety I bought at Costco. Cherry would be a more traditional choice. I’d love to make these again using blueberry.

    Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    Modified from Better Homes & Gardens December 2023.

    Bready or Not: Fruit and Almond Crumble Bars

    Almond flavor infuses every bite of these chewy and sweet bars. For the fruit, you can go traditional and use cherry preserves, or go with whatever flavor or blend you want. Modified from Better Homes & Gardens December 2023.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: almond, bars, jam, preserves
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 15x10x1-inch pan (jelly roll pan)
    • aluminum foil
    • nonstick spray or butter
    • uneven spatula

    Ingredients

    Bars

    • 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter softened
    • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 2/3 cup white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 1/2 cups fruit preserves
    • 7 or 8 ounces almond paste
    • 1/2 cup chopped almonds

    Glaze

    • 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 Tablespoon water

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Line a 15x10x1 pan with a large piece of aluminum foil. Add nonstick spray or butter to coat.
    • In a large bowl, beat butter to soften. Add both sugars to thoroughly combine. Add both extracts. Beat in flour until just combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl a few times. Press dough evenly into the base of the pan. Bake until set, 20 to 25 minutes.
    • Use an uneven spatula to spread fruit preserves over top. Crumble up the almond paste and sprinkle over top. Sprinkle on almond pieces.
    • Bake for another 35 to 40 minutes, until both the almond paste and nuts have browned. Cool on a wire rack for a few hours, stashing in fridge to chill faster.
    • Mix glaze, adding more sugar or water as needed to create a thick yet drizzable texture. Drizzle on glaze. Let set again, at least 30 minutes, or in fridge.
    • Use foil to lift contents onto cutting board to slice up. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bars can also be frozen fully prepared.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      Posted by on Jul 16, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate, sourdough | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      If you like the tang of sourdough, these special Sourdough Blondies are likely your kind of thing. They are also quick to make and delicious!

      Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      The overall texture of these bars impressed me. They are dense and sturdy, the kind of bar you could place in a little bag and pack with a lunch, but they are still soft and chewy to eat.

      Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      Why am I featuring so many sourdough recipes these days? Because, starting in early 2024, I began maintaining my own sourdough starter (named Mother) for book research reasons. That book, A House Between Sea and Sky, is out on October 1st! It features a sentient sourdough starter (also named Mother).

      Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      Bready or Not Original: Sourdough Blondies

      The flavor of sourdough provides a delicious contrast to chocolate in these yummy, sturdy bars.
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 9×13 pan
      • aluminum foil
      • nonstick spray
      • uneven spatula

      Ingredients

      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
      • 1 cup white sugar
      • 1 cup brown sugar packed
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 3/4 cup sourdough discard (170 grams)
      • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
      • 3 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
      • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
      • 11 ounces chocolate chips divided (1 bag)

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray or extra butter.
      • In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Beat in the two sugars. Add the two eggs. Add the sourdough discard. Add vanilla.
      • In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Stir into the wet mixture, scraping the bottom of the bowl on occasion.
      • Measure out 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Fold them into the dough.
      • Scoop dough into prepared pan and even out with an uneven spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top and press in.
      • Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until top is golden and set and the middle passes the toothpick test. Cool completely, speeding process in fridge, if desired.
      • Use foil to lift contents onto a cutting board to slice into bars. Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Dutch Letter Bars

        Posted by on Jun 25, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, cookies, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Dutch Letter Bars

        These Dutch Letter Bars are super-easy to make. Soft, chewy, and crunchy, these have it all.

        Bready or Not: Dutch Letter Bars

        The name for these bars is kind of weird, isn’t it? These are bars, no letter involved. Well, they are made to taste like a Dutch pastry that is traditionally shaped in a letter S. You can read all about it here.

        The bar version mimics the flavor and texture, but is a lot easier to make! In the US, it’s apparently more common to find in Iowa.

        Bready or Not: Dutch Letter Bars

        This is modified from a recipe in Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cookies 2021.

        Bready or Not: Dutch Letter Bars

        These delicious almond and fruit bars are inspired by a traditional Dutch pastry. This is modified from a recipe in Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cookies 2021.
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 13×9 pan
        • aluminum foil
        • nonstick cooking spray

        Ingredients

        • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
        • 7-8 ounces almond paste store-bought or homemade
        • 2 large eggs
        • 2 cups white sugar
        • 2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 3/4 cup raspberry jam or mixed fruit jam
        • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
        • 1 Tablespoon turbinado sugar

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line the 13×9 pan with foil. Add a coating of nonstick spray.
        • In a large bowl, beat together butter, almond paste, and eggs. Add the white sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the flour until combined. Spread dough in the prepared pan.
        • Measure the jam into a microwave-safe bowl and gently warm until it is soft and spreadable. Dollop the jam on top of the dough and spread out, swirling with dough slightly. Sprinkle the almonds on top followed by the turbinado sugar.
        • Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick in the middle comes out clean. Cool completely.
        • Use the foil to lift the contents onto a cutting board, slice into bars. If stacking in storage containers, place waxed paper to make it tidier. Store at room temperature.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          Posted by on Jan 22, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          Why have a candy bar when you can have a chewy, luxurious treat that’s filled with candy bar pieces? These Toffee Blondies are a glorious combination of textures and sweetness.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          If you can find it, use an 8 ounce bag of Heath Bits that include chocolate. All is not lost if that is unavailable, though. You can chop up normal Heath Bars, or use an all-toffee bag and add separate chocolate.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          The result is a thick, chewy bar with crunchy little bits of toffee and pockets of chocolate. These things keep for days, too.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          These are like big, chewy candy bars! If you can’t find the Heath bag that includes chocolate, you can buy candy bars and chop them up, or use the toffee bits and supplement with extra chocolate.
          Course: Dessert
          Keyword: bars, chocolate, cookies
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 9×13 pan
          • aluminum foil
          • nonstick spray

          Ingredients

          • 2 cups all-purpose flour
          • 2 cups brown sugar packed
          • 2 teaspoons baking powder
          • 1/4 teaspoon salt
          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted and cooled
          • 2 large eggs room temperature
          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • 8 ounces Heath Bits with Chocolate

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
          • In a bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
          • In a large bowl, beat the butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in about 2/3 of the Heath Bits.
          • Scoop the thick batter into the prepared pan and level out with an uneven spatula. Sprinkle the rest of the Heath pieces over the top.
          • Bake for 24 to 27 minutes. Middle should be set and pass the toothpick test. Cool to room temperature, speeding the process in the fridge if desired.
          • Use the foil to lift onto cutting board to slice into bars. Store in a sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 3 days.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            Posted by on Dec 18, 2024 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, cheese galore, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            If you love both gingerbread cookies and cheesecake, oh boy, do I have the recipe for you. These Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars are dense, rich, and outright divine.

            Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            The creation process also dirties a lot of dishes, but hey, sometimes that’s what is required to make something that truly comes across as special. This recipe makes a 9×13 pan of thick bars, so bake this to feed a crowd!

            Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            Modified from Holiday Cookies magazine 2019.

            Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            Bready or Not: Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars

            Not gonna lie: these bars take some effort and dirty a lot of dishes, but the result is a thick, sumptuous dessert that is perfect for winter. Make these for a crowd! Modified from Holiday Cookies Magazine 2019.
            Course: Dessert
            Keyword: bars, cheese, cookies, gingerbread
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • 9×13 pan
            • aluminum foil
            • nonstick spray
            • uneven spatula

            Ingredients

            Gingerbread

            • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (3 sticks) softened
            • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
            • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
            • 1/2 cup molasses
            • 2 large eggs room temperature
            • 4 cups all-purpose flour
            • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
            • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
            • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
            • 1 teaspoon baking powder
            • 1 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
            • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
            • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
            • 3 Tablespoons minced candied ginger

            Cheesecake

            • 16 ounces cream cheese (2 blocks) softened
            • 1 cup white sugar
            • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
            • 2 large eggs room temperature
            • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9-inch pan with aluminum foil. Apply nonstick spray.
            • In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the molasses, mixing until no streaks remain. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping the bottom of the bowl on occasion.
            • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. Fold in the candied ginger.
            • Measure out 2 cups of the dough and set it aside.
            • Press the remainder of the dough into the pan, forming an even layer.
            • Time to make the cheesecake layer. Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the sugar and flour. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. The mixture should be fairly consistent in color and texture, but it’s okay if there are some small lumps.
            • Use an uneven spatula to spread the cheesecake into an even layer. Crumble the reserved topping over it.
            • Bake for 50 to 60 minutes; the middle should not look jiggly and should pass the toothpick test. If the top is browning too much, cover with foil.
            • Cool at room temperature for about an hour, then place in fridge to completely chill for a few hours. Use foil to lift onto cutting board to slice into small pieces. Store in fridge in a sealed container.

            OM NOM NOM!

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