Embrace Autumn: Family Traditions, Global Adventures, and Irresistible Pumpkin Blondies

It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming the new year, and now, almost with a blink, the vibrant hues of autumn are upon us, and the holiday season is fast approaching. Time truly has a way of flying when you’re immersed in life’s beautiful moments! Just yesterday, a visit with my parents quickly turned into an eager discussion about our Thanksgiving strategy. We meticulously planned the menu, shared stories, and anticipated the joyous gathering ahead. This year, Jason and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving in town, which means I have the wonderful opportunity to orchestrate the grand Thanksgiving dinner once again. It has, quite delightfully, become an unofficial tradition where I take the lead on crafting most of the holiday menu and cooking it, with my incredible mom serving as my trusty sous chef. It’s a true labor of love, requiring considerable effort, but the sight of happy bellies, smiling faces, and the abundance of heartfelt compliments always makes every minute worthwhile. The warmth of family, delicious food, and cherished traditions truly encapsulate the spirit of this special time of year.

Our recent family discussion wasn’t limited to Thanksgiving feasts. We also dove headfirst into planning for Christmas and, even more excitingly, our monumental family trip to Taiwan next year. The logistics alone are a puzzle, but the anticipation is almost unbearable – I am absolutely bursting with excitement for this adventure! This journey will mark a series of firsts for Jason: his first time ever in Taiwan, his inaugural visit to Asia, and his longest flight experience, clocking in at over 19 hours. I’m genuinely curious to see how he endures such a marathon in the sky, especially since I haven’t tackled a long-haul flight of this magnitude in over four years myself. I fully expect to have a few “freakout moments” during the journey. Perhaps I’ll concoct a clever strategy to induce a peaceful sleep coma for the entire duration – hint: a little adult beverage might be involved! To make the journey more manageable, we’re contemplating a two-day layover in Los Angeles, offering a much-needed break between segments of flying. However, the final details are still being worked out. I simply cannot wait to show Jason around my beautiful homeland and introduce him to the incredible culinary delights Taiwan has to offer. I miss Taiwan immensely, not just for its vibrant culture and delicious food, but primarily because all my beloved relatives reside there. The thought of everyone finally getting to meet my wonderful husband fills me with immense joy and gratitude.

Quick Update on My Great Jean Search

Before diving into the star of today’s post – these phenomenal pumpkin blondies – I wanted to give a quick, much-anticipated update on my jean search, a topic I touched upon last week. A huge thank you to all of you for your fantastic recommendations! While I didn’t get a chance to visit American Eagle or LOFT, as many of you wisely suggested, I did pop into H&M this past weekend. To my absolute surprise and delight, they had an entire, well-stocked shelf dedicated to jeans! Every wash, every fit you could imagine was there. And guess what? I found a pair that I not only LOVED but that also fit PERFECTLY. Who would have thought H&M would be the answer to my denim dilemma? The best part? They were originally priced at a very reasonable $19.95, but thanks to a 20% off coupon, they rang up to be a mere $16. Yes, you read that right – just $16, y’all! If you’re in the market for comfortable, stylish jeans that aren’t super skin-tight, I highly recommend heading over to H&M. They boast a vast selection of washes and fits. I wore my new pair all day Sunday, and they moved and conformed to my body beautifully. They are truly super comfortable and have quickly become a new favorite in my wardrobe.

Indulge in the Flavors of Autumn: Unforgettable Pumpkin Blondies

Now, let’s talk about these glorious pumpkin blondies – the epitome of a perfect fall treat. From the moment you lift the baking pan after they’ve emerged from the oven, you can feel their substantial weight, a clear indicator of their incredibly dense and satisfying texture. These aren’t your light and airy desserts; they are rich, hearty, and full of character. You’ll likely find yourself craving a tall glass of cold milk or a refreshing cup of water to accompany each decadent bite, but rest assured, they are SO incredibly good that every sip is worth it. These blondies are truly chock-full of delicious ingredients, ensuring that you get a delightful surprise in every single mouthful. They feature a generous mix of sweet butterscotch chips, creamy white chocolate chips, and crunchy hazelnuts, all beautifully complemented by the warm, aromatic embrace of pumpkin spice – hands down, my favorite spice blend for the autumn season! You are absolutely going to adore these. I brought the entire pan into the office, and they were an instant hit, disappearing remarkably fast amidst rave reviews from everyone. For an extra-thick, wonderfully chewy bar, I opted to bake mine in an 8×8-inch baking pan. However, if you prefer a slightly thinner, more delicate bar dessert, you can easily adjust by using a 9×9-inch or even a 9×13-inch pan. The choice is entirely yours, depending on your preferred bar dessert thickness and how much deliciousness you want to go around!

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★★★★★

5 from 1 vote

Pumpkin Blondies

By:
Julie Chiou

These pumpkin blondies are rich, dense, and full of fall pumpkin flavor! They’re the perfect treat for autumn gatherings or a cozy night in.

Prep Time:

15
minutes

Cook Time:

50
minutes

Total Time:

1
hour
5
minutes

Servings:

12
blondies

Equipment

• Square baking pan
• Stand mixer
• Hand mixer

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups
  (313 g)
  all-purpose flour
• 1
  
  heaping tbsp. of pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon
  
  salt
• 1 cup
  (227 g)
  unsalted butter,
  melted and cooled to room temperature
• 1 cup
  (220 g)
  dark brown sugar
• ½ cup
  (100 g)
  granulated sugar
• 1
  
  egg
• 1 tablespoon
  
  vanilla extract
• 15 ounce
  (425 g)
  can pure pumpkin puree,
  not pumpkin pie filling
• 1 cup
  (170 g)
  butterscotch chips
• 1 cup
  (180 g)
  white chocolate chips
• 1 cup
  (120 g)
  hazelnuts,
  roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch (or 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch – depending on how thick you want your bars) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on both sides for easy removal. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the melted and cooled unsalted butter with both the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they are fully incorporated. Finally, add the pure pumpkin puree and mix until the mixture is homogenous and well-incorporated.
4. Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined and no streaks of dry flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Using a spatula, gently fold in the butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, and roughly chopped hazelnuts. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
6. Pour the prepared batter into your lined baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the blondies comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and the edges set.
7. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool fully is crucial for clean cuts and optimal texture. To remove the blondies, simply lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper handles. Cut into squares and serve.
8. Store any leftover pumpkin blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness.

Notes

Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

Nutrition

Serving:
1
Blondie

,

Calories:
612
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
70
g

,

Protein:
5
g

,

Fat:
34
g

,

Fiber:
2
g

,

Sugar:
50
g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.