Cinnamon Roll Blondies combine everything you love about cinnamon rolls with chewy blondies to create a two in one dessert that’s sure to become one of your new faves!
Today I want to chat about dining out at fancy-schmancy restaurants. Ya see, Eric and I don’t really venture into the high-end dining scene much anymore.
Mainly because he knows the way to my heart is a chicken salad from Chipotle with extra guac, or a burger bowl from Five Guys with double bacon. I’m pretty simple to please, ya’ll.
However, this past weekend, we got dressed up and went to one of our favorite spots in the Cleveland area. The restaurant is perched on a cliff that overlooks Lake Erie, so it offers one of the best views in the city.
Plus, it has one of Eric’s favorite menu items in all of Cleveland – Braised Beef Short Rib Pierogies. And yes, they are every bit as delicious as they sound.
If you’ve been following my blog forever (thank you by the way), you know that I worked in the restaurant business for years. Pretty much from the age of 14 when I was a server at a local diner to my last job at a high-end steakhouse while I was in graduate school.
Basically what I’m trying to say is that since I worked in the restaurant business for so long, I am NOT a complainer.
In fact, I’m the person that gets totally uncomfortable and anxious when other people complain at tables around me. If you’ve ever worked in the business, you feel me, right?
Admit it, you’re a plate stacker, crumb wiper and over-tipper too.
We’ve had many great experiences at this restaurant, but you guys, this time was pretty terrible. Our shrimp cocktail hadn’t been cleaned properly, so we were kind of turned off by that.
And our steaks were overcooked to the point of being gray and tough. Eric actually left quite a bit of his steak behind which NEVER happens.
Let me put a little disclaimer out there and say that we both like our steaks somewhere between medium and medium-well – gray, not so much.
When I nonchalantly questioned the done-ness of our steak, the server explained that there was some pink, we just couldn’t see it because of the lighting. Sure sure.
We didn’t say a word, I guzzled the last bit of my wine, we paid the check and left. And then I had regrets.
Not because I wanted a free meal, but more so because maybe when you’re paying good money for a night out, someone being lackluster about the things you’re paying them for is just not awesome.
So tell me, do you speak up, or pay your bill and never return?
I’m not sure we’ll ever go back, even though the view is spectacular. No view can make up for gray steak.
I was pretty dang glad that I had a pan of these Cinnamon Roll Blondies at home. Because they’re pretty much what I ate for dinner.
Blondies make just about anything, including a crappy dinner out, better. Especially THESE blondies.
They’re from my friend Haley’s new cookbook – Two In One Desserts and they’re all kinds of delicious.
Two In One Desserts is full of just that – two in one desserts. From Brownie-Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies and Muddy Buddy Bars to Tiramisu Pie and these Cinnamon Roll Blondies, there’s definitely a decadent dessert hybrid for everyone.
Hayley’s recipes are clever, simple and of course – delicious! I like that the recipes are unique, and dare I say, rebellious!
Rather than taking the same old Caramelitas or Brownies from a box (no shame, we’ve all been there), you’ve got to try Hayley’s Cinnamon Roll Blondies. The icing makes them over the top delicious, and they’re just different enough that they’ll be the talk of your picnic or party.
Grab this book so you can be a domestic rebel too. And make sure you stop by Hayley’s blog for more delectable treats too.
Looking for more bar desserts, be sure to check out these Peach Crumb Bars and these Snickerdoodle Bars!
Cinnamon Roll Blondies
Cinnamon Roll Blondies combine everything you love about cinnamon rolls with chewy blondies to create a two in one dessert that’s sure to become one of your new faves!
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Prepare the blondies: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-x-13-inch rectangular baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the brown sugar until combined. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Whisk in the cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour until a thick batter has formed.
- Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan in an even layer and bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Remove from the oven to cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting: Beat together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, until combined. Beat in the powdered sugar and cream until a fluffy, spreadable frosting has been achieved.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the blondies and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.
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Kelly Mahan
Wednesday 9th of August 2017
Can't wait to give this rolls a try, they look amazing! Thanks for sharing your story and recipe with us!
Jamie
Thursday 10th of August 2017
Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy!
cakespy
Friday 21st of July 2017
Depends on my mood re: speaking up. Sometimes I just don't feel like it because an experience like that can deplete you. Sorry you had to experience it.
On a more positive note, these blondies. They seem like they have healing powers! :-)
Mary Babiez
Thursday 20th of July 2017
These cinnamon blondies sound fabulous - can't wait to try them! My husband actually doesn't care to go to restaurants as much anymore. He thinks my cooking is generally better than any restaurant! I guess I married the right guy, right?? I can think of a couple of bad incidents we've had at restaurants and we do politely express our dissatisfaction. We had one manager that went out of his way to rectify (i.e. pick up the whole tab), and another that did nothing. I would definitely go back to the one that rectified the situation, and it doesn't have to be paying our tab. A sincere apology and maybe a free drink or dessert would make me happy. The one who offered nothing but excuses will not get our business again.
Sharrie
Wednesday 19th of July 2017
Aloha everyone! Can any one of please just tell us who have never made this Recipe (Cinnamon Roll Cake) how did it taste? Easy to make Thank you
Nikki
Saturday 16th of September 2017
I made these today for a dinner party, and they were FANTASTIC! I was nervous about making a new recipe for the party, but everyone loved them, and several people asked for the recipe. The cream cheese icing is delicious, but if you have a cream cheese hater, the blondie alone is pretty darn amazing.
Shelley Armstrong
Wednesday 19th of July 2017
My son and daughter are both managers at high end restaurants and work very hard to give the customers an exceptional dining experience. Please consider contacting the manager before you comment on Yelp to give them a chance to make the experience right for you. If you do not get satisfaction from them, then by all means post on Yelp, but you might err on the side of it was just a bad night for the restaurant and not give them a permanent black mark. Thanks!
By the way I can't wait to try the cinnamon roll blondie recipe! I wonder if you could add pecans to it. I love pecans!
Jamie
Thursday 20th of July 2017
Thanks for the feedback, Shelley. I hope you enjoy the blondies...and I think pecans would be great!