Cake Batter Blondies

A couple nights ago I decided I wanted to make some cookies for my husband to take in his lunches. One of my favorite blogs, Six Sisters' Stuff, had just posted a collection of bar cookie recipes. I was kind of tired of all the cookies I usually make so I thought I'd try something new. Bar cookies seemed nice and easy. I went through all the recipes until I found one that I had all the ingredients for. It happened to be Cake Batter Blondies.

The original recipe called for yellow or Funfetti cake mix. I had yellow cake mix (I buy it by the case), but I also had cherry chip cake mix. Cherry chip cake with cherry frosting has been my favorite cake since I was a little girl. I can still buy it in my hometown, but it's not always easy to find. There are three grocery stores where I live, and at any given time, there's no telling where you'll find cherry chip cake mix or if you'll find it at all. Even if you can find the cake mix, finding the cherry frosting can be another adventure altogether. Luckily for me, my mother-in-law found both the cake mix and the frosting and made a cake for my birthday last month. I've been craving cherry chip cake ever since, so last time I was at the grocery store where she found it, I bought a couple mixes and a couple cans of frosting. Sorry, that kind of turned into a long story. The point is, if you happen upon cherry chip cake mix and cherry frosting, you should buy some. Buy a couple and if you don't like it, send the other box to me, or sell it on eBay to someone else who loves it but can't find it.

Back to the Cake Batter Blondies. Since cherry chip cake is kind of like Funfetti cake, I decided to use cherry chip cake mix for my Cake Batter Blondies. I have been struggling to limit myself to one piece a day ever since then. I could easily sit down and eat at least half the pan all by myself. It's insanely delicious. I'm going to dinner at my in-laws' house tonight and the remaining cookies are going there and staying there. It's a sacrifice I must make to the alter of the diet gods. Anyway, I'm sure this recipe would be equally delicious with Funfetti or yellow cake mix. Use what you like!

Cake Batter Blondies

from Six Sisters' Stuff

1 box cake mix (yellow, cherry chip, or Funfetti)
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 c. milk
1/4 c. rainbow sprinkles (only necessary if you use yellow cake mix)
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
frosting and additional sprinkles, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix, oil, and egg in large bowl. Add milk slowly, allowing batter to remain dense. Mix in white chocolate chips and sprinkles if you're adding them. Spread batter evenly into greased 8x11, 9x9, or 8x8 baking pan. I used 8x8 because it's all I have. Bake 25-30 minutes. The middle will still be a little gooey, but will set up as it cools. Cool completely and frost if desired. The original post gives a recipe for frosting, but since I had cherry frosting to go with my cherry chip cake mix, I used half a can of cherry frosting instead. Vanilla or cream cheese would be delicious too, I bet, or if you're feeling ambitious, make your own.