Brown Butter Pecan Blondies
In short: Chewy blondies made with nutty browned butter, dark brown sugar and toasted pecans, finished with a sprinkle of flaky salt. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 235 kcal
Browned butter, dark brown sugar and toasted pecans give these blondies a deep toffee and caramel flavor with very little work. Browning the butter takes about six minutes and fills the kitchen with a nutty smell. Toasting the pecans first sharpens their flavor and keeps them crisp against the chewy crumb. A pinch of flaky salt on top cuts the sweetness and makes the bars taste more complex.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread the pecans on a tray and toast them for 7 to 8 minutes, until fragrant. Leave the oven on and line a 23 cm (9 in) square pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a light-colored pan over medium heat, swirling often, for 5 to 7 minutes, until it foams, turns amber and smells nutty. Pour it, with the brown specks, into a large bowl.
- Whisk the brown sugar into the hot butter until smooth, then cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the egg, yolk, milk and vanilla until glossy.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder and fine salt until just combined, then fold in most of the pecans.
- Spread the batter in the pan and scatter the remaining pecans over the top. Sprinkle lightly with flaky salt.
- Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the top is deep golden and the center looks just set. Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then lift out and cut into 16 bars.
Tips
- Watch the butter closely and pull the pan off the heat the moment it smells toasted. Keep the brown specks, because they hold most of the flavor.
- Walnuts or hazelnuts work in place of pecans. Add 100 g (1/2 cup) white chocolate chips for a sweeter bar.
Questions and answers
Why does brown butter taste so good in blondies?
The milk solids toast in the pan and add nutty, caramel notes that match the brown sugar. The flavor is deeper than plain melted butter.
Can I make these blondies ahead of time?
Yes. They keep for 4 days in an airtight container and taste even better on the second day. Freeze the cut bars for up to 3 months.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes. Reduce the fine salt to 1/4 teaspoon and keep the flaky salt on top.
How long does it take to make Brown Butter Pecan Blondies?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Brown Butter Pecan Blondies?
About 235 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 23 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 235 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
