For many, the mention of “Smarties” evokes a delightful sense of nostalgia, but the image that springs to mind often depends on where you are in the world. In Canada, Smarties are instantly recognizable as those vibrant, candy-coated chocolate disks that melt in your mouth, not in your hand. Canadians often recall the classic 80s commercial jingle: “When you eat your Smarties, do you eat the red ones last?” This cultural touchstone firmly establishes Smarties as a cherished confectionary. However, cross the border into the United States, and “Smarties” refers to small, tart, sugar tablets, which Canadians know as Rockets. It’s the same delightful candy, just under a different name, highlighting a fun linguistic and cultural divide in the world of sweets.
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This delectable recipe specifically calls for the iconic Canadian Smarties. If you’re residing in the USA and find them elusive in local stores, fear not! You can easily substitute them with another type of candy-coated chocolate, like M&M’s, or conveniently order authentic Canadian Smarties online via Amazon to ensure your blondies have that classic flavor and pop of color.
Indulge in Homemade Smarties Blondies: A Chewy, Colorful Delight
These Smarties Blondies are a true testament to the simple joys of home baking. While this post isn’t officially sponsored, I was fortunate enough to receive some of the limited-edition spring-themed Smarties, which inspired this very recipe. The accompanying instructions were fantastic, and after preparing them for my family, they turned out absolutely fabulous! The rich, chewy blondie base, studded with the crunchy, chocolatey goodness of Smarties, created an instant hit. I simply had to capture their vibrant appeal with photos to share this wonderful creation with all of you.
The Charm of Seasonal Smarties for Your Blondies
For these specific blondies, I utilized the Smarties Spring Mix canister, which offers a delightful array of pastel colors, perfect for a springtime treat. This special mix is usually available for a limited time, adding an extra touch of festivity to your desserts. When the spring season passes, fret not! You can easily use regular boxes of Smarties for an equally delicious result. The beauty of the Spring Mix lies in its charming pastel hues, which elevate the visual appeal of these blondies, making them a truly pretty dessert for any occasion. Don’t you agree that the soft colors create a beautiful contrast with the rich blondie?
Why You’ll Love This Smarties Blondie Recipe
- **Effortlessly Easy:** This recipe is incredibly straightforward, perfect for beginner bakers or those short on time.
- **Quick to Prepare:** With minimal prep and bake time, you can whip up a batch of these chewy blondies in under an hour.
- **Irresistibly Chewy:** The perfect balance of brown and white sugar ensures a delightfully chewy texture with slightly crispy edges.
- **Colorfully Fun:** The Smarties add a fantastic pop of color and a satisfying chocolate crunch to every bite, making them visually appealing and fun to eat.
- **Crowd-Pleaser:** Whether for a potluck, family gathering, or a simple weeknight dessert, these blondies are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
Are you a Smarties fan? If so, get ready to fall in love with these easy-to-make, utterly delicious blondies!
Pro Tips for Baking Perfect Smarties Blondies
Achieving that ideal chewy blondie with a delightful scattering of Smarties is simple with a few expert tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly with the sugars, creating a uniform batter and a better texture in your finished blondies.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, rather than chewy, blondies.
- Perfectly Baked: Blondies are often mistaken for being undercooked because they might still seem a little soft in the center when removed from the oven. Look for golden-brown edges and a set (but still slightly soft) center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into your blondies while they’re warm. They need time to set and firm up, otherwise, they’ll be crumbly and difficult to cut into neat squares. Cooling also deepens their flavor and enhances their chewy texture.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Lining your baking pan with parchment paper, with an overhang on the sides, makes lifting the cooled blondies out of the pan incredibly easy for clean cutting and serving.
Creative Variations & Substitutions for Your Blondies
While Smarties are the star of this show, blondies are wonderfully versatile! Feel free to experiment with these ideas:
- Other Candies: Can’t find Canadian Smarties? M&M’s are a fantastic substitute. You could also try chopped chocolate bars, Reese’s Pieces, or even mini marshmallows.
- Nutty Additions: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, fold in half a cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds with your Smarties.
- Chocolate Boost: If you’re a true chocoholic, consider adding a quarter cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) alongside your Smarties.
- Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of orange or lemon zest can brighten up the flavor profile of the blondies beautifully.
- Caramel Swirl: After spreading the batter, drizzle a few tablespoons of caramel sauce on top and swirl it gently with a knife before baking for a decadent twist.
Storing Your Delicious Smarties Blondies
To keep your Smarties Blondies fresh and chewy, proper storage is key:
- Room Temperature: Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. This helps maintain their chewy texture.
- Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, you can refrigerate them for extended freshness, up to a week. Just be aware that refrigeration can slightly alter the texture, making them a bit firmer. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best experience.
- Freezing: Blondies freeze exceptionally well! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smarties Blondies
- What exactly are blondies?
- Blondies are a baked dessert bar similar to brownies but without cocoa powder. They typically have a vanilla or brown sugar base, giving them a rich, buttery, and often caramel-like flavor, with a chewy texture.
- Can I use other candy instead of Smarties?
- Absolutely! As mentioned, M&M’s are an excellent substitute. Any small, candy-coated chocolate will work well, or you can get creative with other chopped candies or chocolate chips.
- Why are my blondies crumbly?
- Crumbly blondies can be due to overbaking, which dries them out. They might also be crumbly if you tried to cut them before they were fully cooled. Ensure you bake them until just golden and let them cool completely.
- How can I make my blondies extra chewy?
- Using a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar contributes to chewiness. Also, underbaking them slightly (they should still look a little soft in the center) and allowing them to cool completely will result in a chewier texture.
- Is it safe to bake with candy-coated chocolates?
- Yes, it’s perfectly safe! The candy coating helps the chocolates hold their shape and adds a delightful crunch and color to baked goods like blondies and cookies.
You’ll also like these other delightful recipes: Butterscotch Blondies, Brown Butter Caramel Blondies, Poutine, and Biscoff Blondies with White Chocolate. If you enjoy simple, satisfying desserts, be sure to check them out!
4.42 from 29 votes
Smarties Blondies
Stacie Vaughan
9
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
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Video
Click to watch the Smarties Blondies video tutorial!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup Smarties
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal, and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and creamy. Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract, beating until just combined.
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Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the flour is just incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the Smarties candy until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Spread the blondie mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Once fully cooled, lift the blondie from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 9 even squares.
Equipment
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Hand Mixer
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Mixing bowl
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9-inch baking pan
Nutrition
Serving: 1g
|
Calories: 247kcal
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Carbohydrates: 35g
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 11g
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Saturated Fat: 7g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
|
Cholesterol: 48mg
|
Sodium: 225mg
|
Sugar: 20g
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Desserts
American
Smarties Blondies
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