Blondies

This recipe from my favorite basic cookbook - Better Homes and Garden - is a great way to pull together a sweet treat with items you have on hand.  Basic ingredients like brown sugar, eggs, and butter make it an easy option.  The photo above is from the cookbook, and the one at the end of the post is my less-than-perfect blondie.  We loved these, and I can't wait to make them again sometime soon!

4 cups packed brown sugar

1 1/3 cups butter

4 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

4 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Line a 13x9 pan with greased foil or parchment paper.

2.  In a large saucepan, cook and stir brown sugar and butter over medium heat about 6 minutes or until melted and smooth.  Cool 10 minutes.

3.  In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and baking soda.  Stir eggs and vanilla into cooled brown sugar mixture.  Stir in flour mixture.  Spread in prepared pan.

4.  Bake 45 minutes.  Cool completely.  Use foil or parchment paper to lift blondies out of pan. Cut into bars.

- I cut the recipe in half and made in a 8"x8" square pan.

- Optional toppings before baking: 

• 3/4 cup chopped nuts
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips