Platinum Blondies - January 13, 2011

I solved the whole TERRIBLE brownie mystery. You see I'm not a brownie... I'm a BLONDIE! So I opted for the platinum version of the tasty baked bar goody! Turns out I did much better with this one. Guess you've just got to stick to your 'roots'... alright that was pretty corny but I'm just so excited I made a dessert that didn't taste like a science experiment go awry.
My 11-year-old says to me, 'Mom, these are the best things I have ever tasted. You should just make these every day.' What better reviews could you ask for, right?!? No one is harder to please than a hormonal tween. This recipe made about 16 squares and they were gone in a matter of hours. I did good!


Ingredients:
(yields 16 2inch squares)
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
(foodnetwork.com)

Directions:
Step 1: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F
Step 2: Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan with sides at least 1 1/2 inches high
Step 3: Using whisk attachment mix together sugar and eggs on speed 2 approx 3 min
Step 4: Add the vanilla and butter and beat to mix well
Step 5: In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter mixture, mixing on level 2 until just incorporated (Do not over mix)
Step 6: Using the Stir setting mix in the pecans and white chocolate
Step 7: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and use a flat metal spatula or a butter knife to smooth the top
Step 8:Bake the blondies for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is dry and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached
Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool
Step 10: Cut the blondies into 2-inch squares

Tips:
* The batter is like peanut butter! Sooooooo super sticky! make sure you get all of the batter spread evenly into the baking pan. (That sentence is more easily said than done... really I wish you all the patience in the world!)
* When you get such a positive raves about something you made don't only take it all in BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT!!!