Monday, April 25, 2016

Browned Butter Blondies with Toasted Pecans

YES - I am on a huge "browning butter" kick!  I can't believe how "browning butter" totally enhances the flavor of cookies and bars.  Please try it if you haven't!  You will be hooked too.

Most cookie/bar recipes call for two sticks of butter.  I brown one stick over medium high heat for 3 - 5 minutes.  Stir constantly as the butter will also quickly burn.  You just want the butter to turn to a nice golden consistency.

If you need just "softened" butter for your recipe, add the browned butter to the other stick of butter and whisk together.  You can refrigerate for a bit to reach your "softened"  consistency.

With these blondies, I just whisked the two together and went with that texture.  It worked out great!

My husband LOVED these bars.  I made several desserts last week for the teachers at preschool for our Teacher Appreciation week.  Chris kept asking me if there were extra Blondies!  I did save a few for him!

I like Blondies for several reasons....1.   I always have the ingredients on hand and.....2.  you can totally change a Blondie by adding toffee pieces, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips... or whatever sounds good to you.  I would love dried cherries , mini chocolate chips and almonds.


Browned Butter Blondies with Toasted Pecans

2 sticks butter
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 9 x 13 with cooking spray or line the pan with parchment paper.

Put one stick of butter in large mixing bowl.  Melt the other stick in a medium saucepan over medium high heat, stirring constantly for 3 - 5 minutes.  Watch carefully so not to burn butter.  Butter will turn a nice golden brown and have a nutty aroma.  Pour browned butter over the other stick of butter - using a whisk or fork to mix together.  This is a thick dough - might be easier with a mixer.  Add dark brown sugar, mixing well.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each.  Add vanilla and mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Add toasted pecans and gently mix until pecans are dispersed throughout the thick dough.  Pat mixture into a prepared 9 x 13 pan.  I like to sprinkle lightly with white sugar.  Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes.  **Please do not overcook.  I check my bars at 18 minutes  - see if a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Enjoy!!

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