Christmas Cake Blondies.

    
How does the spirit of Christmas feel in your home?? This side it is getting crazier by the day..... Decorating, choir practices, ensembles, entertaining, plays and not to forget baking!!! So, without any story telling, here's what I prepared over the weekend in anticipation of my cousin's visit. The recipe is from the christmas collection of Good Housekeeping magazine.

You need :

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit, bigger pieces chopped(raisins, currants, sultanas, apricots, figs, citrus peel, candied cherries)
• 1 cup rum or brandy
• 1 and a half cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 150 gm unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips( I used white chocolate cut into small pieces)
• 3/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts.

Method:

1. Marinate dried fruits in rum, stirring now and then, for at least 6 hours or overnight (I soaked for 24 hours).
2. Preheat oven to 175 degrees celsius. Meanwhile grease and dust a 9 inch square baking tin.
3. Drain fruit and reserve marinade; set aside.
4. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
5. Cream together butter and both kinds of sugar until pale and thick, about 6 minutes with an electric whisk. Beat in egg, then yolk; whisk for 1 minute. Mix in chocolate chips, nuts and fruit. Fold in flour mixture until just combined -DO NOT BEAT!
6. Spoon into prepared tin and bake for 40-50 minutes or until top is golden brown and centre done but just moist.

7. Cool tin on wire rack for at least 30 minutes, before cutting into 16 squares. To serve, pour reserved rum marinade over as sauce and garnish with chopped dried fruit.