This past week it was the tenth anniversary of my Granny’s death. I can’t believe it’s ten years. I think back to that time when she was sick and dying and I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t go visit her and it was a mess and bad and I not only think of Granny and miss her every day, but I feel rotten every single day for my behavior then even though some of it was out of my control.
It’s devastating to think of how fast this time has gone and all the things we could have done together. How much I could have learned from her. The things we could have cooked and baked. The walks we could have taken. The fun we could have had.
We were at a party recently and the first thing I thought was how Granny would have loved to take a spot on a bench and do some old fashioned people watching. There were so many fascinating people there that even I enjoyed watching them. She would have been content for hours on the warm night.
Some of these feelings are because I’ve been down lately, but I need to focus on positivity and trust that Granny is watching out for me and good things are to come, so Mom told me to share a story about Granny.
Granny loved loved loved spending time outside. She could sit out there all day and read a book (I wish she could have read one of mine). And Granny always seemed younger than her age. She was a Rockstar and up for just about any challenge.
When she saw me jumping rope one day, she wanted to try it. So I gave her the rope and with my parents and I looking on, she began jumping faster and faster and faster until it was too fast. she lost her balance and tumbled over.
But she was fine. There were a couple other times she fell when visiting us too, but they were always things we all laughed about later because she was such a tough lady that she was always just fine. I think I could use some of that literal and figurative thick skin.
I would love to share a pumpkin blondie with her too. These are the ultimate in easy to make fall desserts. I decreased the spice a bit to let the flavor of the pumpkin shine through, and oh does it. The hint of sweetness from the white chocolate and the crunch of the hazelnuts make these a winning dish.
Pumpkin Blondies #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 large blondies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 15 ounces pure pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups toasted hazelnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 inch square pan.
- In a large bowl, stir together melted butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and pumpkin. Add the flour, cinnamon, and salt, and stir to combine. Stir in the white chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and the center is almost completely set. Serve warm or cool completely in the pan. Blondies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen, individually wrapped in parchment and foil and place in a zipper bag, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the microwave for about 1 minute.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Table for Two
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper recipes!
Simple Pumpkin Recipes #SundaySupper
MEALS, SIDES, AND SNACKS
- Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Soup by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Chocolate Pumpkin Chia Pudding by Cricket’s Confections
- Chocolate Pumpkin Pastry Twists by Caroline’s Cooking
- Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Miso Broth with Roast Pumpkin and Noodles by Sprinkles and Sprouts
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Walnut Streusel by Baking Sense
- Pumpkin Kugel by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pumpkin Monkey Bread Muffins by Jersey Girl Cooks
- Pumpkin Mug Muffin by Our Good Life
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cups by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pumpkin Shrub by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Rolls by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Roasted Pumpkin Apple Bacon Soup by Food Lust People Love
- Savory Pumpkin with Red Onion Garlic and Coconut by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
DELECTABLE DESSERTS
- No Bake Paleo Pumpkin Bites by Bites of Wellness
- Pumpkin Blondies by Pies and Plots
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding by The Freshman Cook
- Pumpkin Cupcakes by NinjaBaker.com
- Pumpkin Hand Pies by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Pumpkin Pot Au Creme by Cooking On The Ranch
- Traditional Pumpkin Pie by Palatable Pastime
- Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies by Sunday Supper Movement
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Hugs Laura. I was close to my Grammy too. What a nice tribute recipe.
Thank you, Cindy! xo
Such nice memories of your beloved grandmother. I’m sure she’s proud of the woman you’ve become!
P.S. Your blondies look fabulous!
Thanks, Liz! That’s so nice of you to say.
What sweet memories you have of your granny! These blondies look fabulous. I also like to not over do the spice in a pumpkin recipe. I like to taste the pumpkin!
Thanks for sharing your memories with us. Yesterday marked 7 yrs since my Pops passed away. These anniversaries are very tough.
Thanks for your comment, Wendy. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Your Granny does sound like one who knew how to savor Life. I bet she is watching over you…And I bet she would indeed have loved your blondies =)
That is such an elegant way to put it, Kim. She did savor life. xo
Aw what a nice post about your Grandmother! These blondies are a lovely fall treat.