Name: Christmas blondies
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2/3 cup (220g) bottled fruit mince; 2 tablespoon brandy; 180 gram butter, softened; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (220g) brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 cup (150g) plain flour; 1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour; 1/2 cup (60g) almond meal; 1/2 cup (95g) white choc bits; 1 1/4 cup (100g) flaked almonds, toasted

Christmas blondies

Enrich and sweeten the festive season with these scrumptious fruit, almond and white chocolate brownie-like squares. They don't exclusively need to be dessert either.

Makes 16 Item

Prep

Ingredients

2/3 cup (220g) bottled fruit mince

2 tablespoon brandy

180 gram butter, softened

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup (220g) brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup (150g) plain flour

1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour

1/2 cup (60g) almond meal

1/2 cup (95g) white choc bits

1 1/4 cup (100g) flaked almonds, toasted

Method

1.Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a deep 20cm square cake pan; line base and sides with baking paper

2.Combine the fruit mince and brandy in a small bowl.

3.Beat butter, vanilla and sugar in a small bowl with an electric mixer until pale. Add the eggs and beat until combined, then add the flours, almond meal and salt; beat on low speed until well combined.

4.Stir in the fruit mince mixture, chocolate and half of the flaked almonds. Spread into the prepared pan; sprinkle with the remaining almonds.

5.Bake for about 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with a few crumbs but not wet. Allow to cool in pan. Turn out, cut into squares.

6.Dust with sifted icing sugar, if desired.