Peanut Butter M&M Blondies

Many months ago, I made peanut butter cup blondies.  They were incredible, but also left me wondering about other candy possibilities.  The options seem limitless.  Since Peanut Butter M&Ms rank in my top 5 favorite candies, if not top 3 (after Nutrageous and Peanut Butter Cups, of course), Peanut Butter M&M Blondies were a logical progression.

Let's just say the experiment was a success.  I used a generous helping of M&Ms instead of peanut butter cups.  I also used peanut butter chips to boost the peanut buttery goodness.  The result was dangerous.  Lots of tasty M&Ms in every bite, lots of good peanut butter flavor...yet they still come in around 210 calories.  Gotta love it!


Peanut Butter M&M Blondies
Yields 16 bars

Ingredients,
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 brown sugar, packed
1/2 granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/3 cup natural peanut butter (chunky or creamy)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup peanut butter M&M candies, divided
1/4 cup peanut butter chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 
3. In a medium bowl, stir to combine butter, peanut butter, eggs and vanilla.
4. Add peanut butter mixture to flour mixture, stirring until combined (do not over mix). 
5. Fold in 1/2 cup peanut butter M&Ms and peanut butter chips.
6. Pour mixture into baking pan and spread to fill pan.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter M&Ms, pressing them into the batter.
7. Bake for 19 minutes, or until set.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Nutrition Info:
Calories: 210
Fat: 8.5g
Carbs: 29.5g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 3.9g