Salted Caramel Blondies from Guest @EllenByron #giveaway

MADDIE DAY here, delighted to host my good friend Ellen Byron today! I loved A Very Woodsy Murder, the first in her new Golden Motel Mysteries, and I know you will, too. 

Today she brings you a yummy recipe and a special giveaway! Take it away, Ellen.

When I was mulling over events to celebrate A Very Woodsy Murder, the first book in my new Golden Motel Mysteries series, I landed on the idea of a giveaway featuring light mysteries set in the Golden State itself. The giveaway included Maddie's Murder Uncorked!

 

To make the giveaway even more special, I decided that everyone who entered should receive a thank-you gift from me in the form of recipe. The catch was that my new series doesn’t fall into the culinary genre. While I do include two recipes at the end of the book that tie into its theme, neither felt right for the giveaway. So I brainstormed and came up with a “golden” treat: Salted Caramel Blondies. They’re sort of a mashup of candy and a cookie bar. The sample batch I made was a big hit with my test group of family members and needlepoint pals, but if you prefer your treats a bit less sweet, just leave off the caramel topping.

 

The California Dreamin’ Giveaway may be over but I can’t resist giving away one of my Golden Motel bears to one lucky MLK reader who comments below.

SALTED CARAMEL BLONDIES

Blondie ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup tightly packed dark brown sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup your choice of chips: white, butterscotch, chocolate. You can also add nuts.

 

Caramel topping ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup tap water

¼ cup heavy cream

2 tsp. vanilla

3 T. butter

1 tsp. ground coarse salt

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C): 

Lightly butter and flour an 8x8-inch (20 cm x 20 cm) pan. 

Whisk together the melted butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.

 

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and mix it all together. Add the butterscotch chips or other mix-ins (up to 1 cup total).Pour into the pan and spread evenly.

 

Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.

To make the caramel topping, Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let cook until it’s golden brown and reaches 360 degrees on a candy thermometer. 

Turn off heat and gradually whisk in heavy cream, butter, and vanilla. Let the mixture cool for five minutes, then evenly pour and spread over the blondies. Sprinkle with salt.

 

Makes 16 squares. Enjoy!

Readers:  Tell me what you think of the recipe or share your favorite region of California for a chance to win Bud the Bear!

                                                         🐻🧸🍬

Ellen Byron is a USA Today bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico). Her new series, The Golden Motel Mysteries, recently debuted. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. Visit her at Cozy Mysteries | Ellen Byron | Author. 

In A Very Woodsy Murder, new motel owner Dee Stern has checked out of the familiar comforts in the San Fernando Valley and checked in to the quaint village of Foundgold. Running a rustic getaway in the woods sure beats LA traffic—until murder ruins the peace and quiet. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, the mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm is a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . .

But Dee and Jeff soon realize there couldn’t be two people more unprepared for the hospitality business. There’s also the panic-inducing reality of prowling bears and a general store as the only shopping spot for miles. Living and working in the middle of nowhere takes some getting used to—especially when a disrespectful guest ends up murdered! Now, with the motel duo topping the suspect list, Dee must steer clear of a meddling park ranger, face her past in show biz, and determine if the killer is a local or tourist. Because as she quickly finds out, there are many things worse than a one-star review.