Blondies

Makes 18 squares

Melissa Dean Hartley

Maple butterscotch brownies

ingredients

1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 1 1/2 cups butterscotch, semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, or white chocolate chips, optional

1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
2
Put the sugar in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a small skillet or in the microwave in a glass measuring cup. Stir the butter into the sugar until smooth, cool to room temperature.
3
Meanwhile, in another medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
4
Beat the eggs and vanilla into the sugar mixture. Add the flour mixture a bit at a time and mix until a smooth thick batter forms. Fold in the chips, as desired.
5
Spoon the batter to the prepared dish and spread to evenly fill the dish. Bake until the blondies are light brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.
6
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Invert onto a rack and cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.