Last week I went to Ohio.
I had to fly there.
I’ll tell you all about Ohio later, but today let’s talk about airports/planes.
Going on a trip is all sorts of exciting, but the getting-there part, not so much.
Airports are scary and confusing places filled with weird, impatient people.
I mean, when did I become the last normal human?
First, I got into the wrong line to check-in…and the man behind me was obviously an expert traveler because he kept sighing at me really loudly when I kept forgetting to move 1 foot up in the maze line. Finally I made it to the front of the line only to be told by the super helpful woman behind the counter that I needed to go check-in at the other desk, by way of another, super-long maze line.
All this waiting to check my bag. Yes, I’m a bag checker, no matter how light my load. I get anxiety when I carry my bag on. What if there is no space in the overhead compartments when I get on the plane? I have been faced with that dilemma more than once. I end up standing in the aisle looking around for space, which never happens to be above my own seat. I start sweating and searching with panicked eyes for any sliver of space that I can squeeze my over-packed carry-on into, knowing that the long line of people behind me are getting annoyed by me standing there like an idiot. Also, I am 5’2″ which makes hiking my bag over my head hard enough. I have been hit in the forehead with my carry-on more than once. It is embarrassing and painful. So, I am a bag-checker.
After I got my bag checked, I had to take the air train to the other terminal. In my airport the train has little separate cars, which are great when you have your family with you, but if you are alone you’re forced to sit in a tiny space facing some random stranger who will inevitably stare at you until you make eye contact. The thing is, once you’ve made eye contact it’s like you have acknowledged their existence and now have to say something.
I always get alarmingly nervous in these situations and say the wrong thing…like if the stranger says, “Pretty cold out today”, I usually come back with, “Nice to meet you.” Then I sit there for the next 3 minutes feeling like a moron staring down at my feet. I really shouldn’t be allowed in public.
On my day of travel I was running slightly behind and by the time I got to the gate I was starving. The only thing near my gate was a stand that sold nuts. I am allergic to almonds, so obviously I steer clear of those, but in general I avoid most nuts. But since I was so hungry I decided to throw caution to the wind and get a bag of cashews. I ate a few handfuls and boarded the plane. As the doors closed I started having trouble breathing. I was convinced I was going into to anaphylactic shock because of the cashews.
Here’s my thought process: Ok, breathe, calm down. What if I am dying? What if I die here? Should I say something? Should I draw attention? People will be mad if I stop the plane. People might not notice if I die. I have a window seat. They’ll think I am sleeping. What do I do?
Well, I settled on dying in my seat rather than embarrassing myself. As I sat there trying to breathe I realized that I was a complete idiot and should not be allowed out of the house by myself. Luckily, I gained my composure and realized that I was just panicking and I wasn’t dying of an allergic reaction to cashews.
I am no good in pressure situations.
Don’t even get me started on connecting flights!
Like I said, I’ll talk about my trip another day, but among other things that I left Ohio with, was the idea for these blondie bars.
My kids love Fluffernutter sandwiches. (For those unfamiliar, Fluffernutter is peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff.)
I decided to amp up the idea and add some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the mix as well…can’t be bad!
I ended up with a buttery, peanut butter bar with Fluff swirled throughout and yummy chunks of Reese’s to add a little extra pizzazz.
First you make you batter…really easy.
Don’t forget to fold in your peanut butter cups. A whole entire 10.5 oz bag of full sized cups…minus one for tasting. You need to make sure they’re not poison.
Spread your batter into a greased pan.
Now, get your Fluff ready.
Drop that randomly on top of your batter…
and swirl it around…
Bake it and eat.
Nothing wrong with that!
Now, sweets aside, you really need to hop over and check out my other site…we play pranks on our kids and video it, which isn’t mean at all, we make crafts because we’re kinda crafty, we snoop in people purses, we have fun meal plans and man-judging just to name a few. Seriously, it’s kinda the perfect place!
And one more thing…don’t forget to enter in my babycakes giveaway…it’s open until Sunday, November 20th!
Thanks!!
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Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Fluffernutter Blondies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups coarse chopped peanut butter cups (10.5 oz bag)
- 3/4 cup Marshmallow Fluff
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cream butter and peanut butter together.
- Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy.
- On medium speed add in eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
- Stir in your baking soda, salt and flour until just combined.
- Fold in your chopped peanut butter cups.
- Spread the batter in your prepared pan.
- Drop you Fluff randomly on top of the batter and swirl in with a knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick placed 1 inch from side comes out clean. Don’t over bake.
- Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
- Cut into squares when cooled.
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you are not alone, doesn’t it? 
this
is
beautiful
You my fried are hilarious! Once again, my kids asked me what I was laughing at.
These look too good to be true!!!
your stories always make me laugh. glad to know i’m not the only who who sometimes believes they should not be allowed to interact with the public. for the good of the world someday I should just stay home. lol
Christina @ Ovenadventures recently posted..Pumpkin Cake Cookies with a Maple Cinnamon Glaze
Oh, Shelly, the airport travel…yes, indeed. It’s like this massive cattle call, everyone is in a hurry to go no where and they are more concerned that you have 3.000001 ounces of body spray in your purse than is really necessary. Or how about being a nursing mother or mother to a baby and trying to get milk on board…seriously it’s nuts. And no one is polite. Everyone just sighs, rolls their eyes, or yells. Travel is sooo glamorous, right? Sorry you had to deal with it. I am all too familiar with your scenario.
On lighter matters, these blondies look awesome! I have made something sort of like these that I adapted from a picky-palate/jenny recipe. Cake mix, PB, fluff, and lots of white choc and sweetened condensed milk, too
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga recently posted..Thrifty Dishes Jackpot
I cannot stop laughing…SO funny!
And how could you possibly get a more awesome flavor combo – PB cup fluffernutter?! Get out.
heather recently posted..Chocolate Quake Cake
o MY…i WENT ON A PLANE ONCE AND THAT WAS IT FOR ME…SORRY BUT YOUR STORY WAS TO FUNNY,,,,I HAVE ACQUIRED PANIC ATTACKS THREE YEARS AGO…LOL IT SOUNDS LIKE ME BUT I COULDN’T GET THAT FAR…THE PEANUT BUTTER CUP FLUFFERNUTTER THATS A MOUTH FULL IN ITSELF..GREAT POST..CANT WAIT TO TRY THEM…THANKS FOR SHARING…JANICE
I just flew from Boston to Anchorage this weekend and I wrote about my thoughts on airplanes also! Check it out, as I think we both dislike airports. Also, these blondies look sinfully delicious!
Kristin recently posted..Pasta Spinach Toss
I’m not sure how I found your blog, but I’m glad I did. I like you, you are awesome…this story made me laugh and realize we may have a lot in common. I am a complete spaz in pressure situations and labor under the delusion that I am dying/unable to breath/or going into anaphylactic shock at least once or twice a week…
Oh, and your photos are really good and your recipes look fantastic, I will have to try to make these blondies soon.
Thanks so much! Glad you found me
Airports & Flying ARE scary !! Something so simple … is now far too complex. These blondies though … they should make up for your little adventure – - they look like perfection
Living The Sweet Life recently posted..The Long & Short of Cran-Orange Shortbread Cookies
So would you believe that Fluffernutter Bars have been on my To Make list for about a month? Get outta my head, friend…GET OUTTA MY HEAD!!!
Cookbook Queen recently posted..Muddy Buddy Brownies
of course they were! xoxo
You and these amazing treats with peanut butter! I’m dying to make your banana bread and now THIS?! PB and marshmallow fluff?! Thank you! And I’m here in Ohio, so I hope your trip was without any scary incidents! Besides the airport/plane situation. Weirdo.
Kim recently posted..Old-Fashioned Caramels
Oh no, the airport situation was here in Newark, Ohio seems lovely
That is the saddest story ever! I grew up traveling ALL the time, and am no longer bothered by all the weirdos and crazies at the airport; I’m one of them – they are my people
If you need a travel guide to help you navigate the airport lines and figure out if you’re dying or not, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’ll help ya! Oh, and I’ll make these bars just for our flight!
Karyn – Pint Sized Baker recently posted..Fudge Part II
hahahaha! Thanks!
Umm yeah. All of the above. I’ve had to fly twice in the past three weeks and many panic attacks have abounded. Many.
having these bars on hand would have totally calmed me down.
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Fudge…and Foodbuzz Festival 2011!
Seriously! Peanut butter, peanut butter cups, AND marshmallow. This is so wrong…but so right.
Madeline – Thursday Night Baking recently posted..#48 Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cupcakes
The word fluffernutter makes me giggle! I needed that!
SweetSugarBelle recently posted..Star Wars Cookies Using Holiday Cutters
I love your flavor combo’s…you never cease to amaze me when you come up with yet another winner of flavors. As for travel, i don’t do it, or rather I have not traveled in soooooooo long…but airports were strange the last time I went, so I can only imagine that they have progressively gotten weirder as time has evolved.
Mighty Morgan recently posted..Low Carb Rice Pudding
Oh wow….you poor thing! Is air travel supposed to be glamorous? Maybe that was in the 50′s. I’m so glad the cashews didn’t kill you.
And marshmallow fluff + peanut butter?!? Yes, please.
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..Dinner…Works for Me Wednesday
Shelly, you are too funny. I also hate the moment when I have to put my way-too-heavy carry on in the overhead compartment. I’m also short and no one ever offers to help so I always end up hurting myself.
If these were the result of your trip then it was worth all the awkward moments:-)
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread {Guest Post}
Wow. I love you. That is all.
Katrina recently posted..Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Marshmallow fluff reminds me of being a kid! I try not to keep it in my house toooo often but when I do it’s gone within a week!! These should be in a magazine!
alyssa – fashion fitness foodie recently posted..8 minute dinner
These look fantastical! I’m thinking they’d be great to have on board for that next flight. It’s a plan.
Amy recently posted..Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey
done.
Oh goodness those look good!
You had me at peanut butter cups:)
Maria recently posted..Sourdough Stuffing with Mushrooms, Apples, & Sage
Oh my goodness. I am SO glad I stumbled upon your blog. I think I did because of Callye and Ashleigh’s pinterest cookie series. But no matter. Whatever brought me here I am so happy. I check your blog every day and am so glad when you post. YOU MAKE ME LAUGH SO HARD. I think we are sisters seperated at birth.
Yay for Ohio providing inspiration for such amazingly tasty things!
Erin recently posted..Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
I love how everyone has a different perspective of flying. It cracks me up. I try NEVER to check a bag. I have had too many bags miss connecting flights so I try to pack lightly. I typ. wear a crap ton of layers… shirt, sweater, coat… that I can take off so that my bulky sweater does not have to be packed, letting me use a smaller suitecage. Also goes for shoes, wear the biggest bulkiest shoes on the flight so my flip flops are in the suitecase.
nicole recently posted..paper
I don’t know how I came across your blog but I love it!!!! Your posts always crack me up but today’s had me crying from laughing so hard! As an Ohioan I’m glad that we inspired you to make something so amazing, I’m going tonight to get the iingrediants!
yeah, that picture made me fat just by loking at it, they look REALLY good
betty recently posted..Cheesecake Tartlets
SO yummy!! I have to make these!
Oh yum! These look wonderful!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..{Crazy Cooking Challenge} Bacon, Broccoli, Cheddar Mashed Potato Bites
I could eat a huge stack of these! Yum!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray recently posted..Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Spinach
I always secretly giggle and smile when I see a jar of marshmallow fluff. I love the old school jars, too.
Shaina recently posted..Perfect All-Butter Pie Crust
I love the word fluffernutter. Say that 10 times fast! I makes me giggle.
Georgia Pellegrini recently posted..“French Apple Tart”
Love your blog. And this dessert looks amazing!
Michele recently posted..New Cooking/Baking Club
Whoa, sorry to hear about your plane ride experience. If it makes you feel any better, I’m not good in those kind of situations either…
These blondies make up for that though!
You literally had me laughing out loud with your description of your travels! And these bars look incredibles!
Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth recently posted..Good living and Chewy Peanut butter Chocolate chip granola bars
airports do kinda suck don’t they. glad you made it!
and omg fluffernutter blondies GET IN MAH BELLY.
esther recently posted..smoky spinach and mushroom breakfast hash
I made these for my boyfriend for our 1-year anniversary and he LOVED them (and I think I locked in another year of relationship bliss with these bars). He’s a huge peanut butter/chocolate/marshmallow/anything sweet fan, so these were perfect for him. I drizzled some chocolate on top of them (as if they weren’t decadent enough!) and they were delicious. I may have sneaked one – for quality control, of course – before I gave him pretty much the entire pan.
Awesome!
made these to rave reviews – thank you for another great peanut butter lovers recipe!
As a 63 year old grandmother who visits (traveling alone) her grandchildren in France, I feel your pain and anxiety. I allow for long layovers just so I can make sure I am in the right line. It’s an OCD thing.
I love your site! My husband is allergic to Chocolate and loves Sweets, you have so many dessert recipes using white chocolate and other ingredients that he can have! Thanks so much!
These are the BEST. I made them for a cake and pie auction. Saved one to eat.
Next time would use the Mini Reese cups.
These look SOOOOO Good! Thanks for sharing. And, by the way, I have similar problems when flying myself, so you are not alone.