Browned Butter Blondies

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F (177C) and grease and flour a 9x9 pan.

Step 2

Cut your butter into Tablespoon-sized pieces and place in a medium-sized saucepan.  Melt over medium-low heat.

Step 3

Once butter has melted, increase heat to just above medium heat.

Step 4

Swirl and scrape the sides of the pan frequently with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula - the butter will bubble and pop.  Once the bubbling/popping  slows, the butter will begin to turn brown.  Watch it carefully,  and once it begins to brown and you smell the nutty aroma of browned butter, remove from heat and pour into a large, heatproof bowl.

Step 5

Allow butter to cool at least 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, prepare your dry ingredients.

Step 6

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

Step 7

Once butter has cooled at least 15 minutes, stir in sugars and maple syrup.  Stir well.

Step 8

Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.  Stir until well-combined.

Step 9

Gradually stir your dry ingredients into your wet and pour evenly into your prepared pan.

Step 10

Prepare your topping by pulsing flour and brown sugar in small food processor.

Step 11

Add butter, and pulse just until coarse crumbs form.

Step 12

Add walnuts, pulse once again, briefly, and then turn food processor off and carefully remove blade.

Step 13

Sprinkle the walnut topping evenly over the prepared blondie batter.

Step 14

Bake on 350F (177C) for 35 minutes.  Serve warm, preferably topped with ice cream and salted caramel sauce.