Blonde Brownies

This yummy, ooey, gooey, sweet treat is a throw back to junior high for me--in a very good way. My close friend, Michelle, made these during a group project we did together in home economics in 8th grade. I was instantly in love! They are so good and so easy to make. After I got married, I had to call Michelle up and ask for the recipe since I'd misplaced it during college. I think it says something about these blonde brownies if I remember when I first tasted them and still crave them many years later?!? I always have the ingredients on hand and often take them when I need to bring dessert somewhere. They have a similar taste to a chocolate chip cookie without all the work of cooking batch after batch of cookies. I love that they are soft and chocolatey (is that a word?) in the middle. They are a perfect treat! Luckily I'm taking them to a baby shower tonight because they are just too tempting to eat just one!

Blonde Brownies from Michelle

2/3 C butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
2 C brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 C sifted flour
1/4 tsp soda
1 C chocolate chips
2 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together. I truly just dump it all in and it always turns out well everytime--I guess I'm still using the 8th grade method on this one...Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cut into squares

I used to undercook these too much. So I've learned that if you put a toothpick in and it comes out really wet--then let it cook for a couple of more minutes. But it won't be completely dry or they'll be overcooked (does this sound confusing enough). So as the top gets golden and rises slightly as it bakes and the toothpick (inserted in the middle) is more of a stickier, not drippy wet--you'll know they're done. Because with the brown sugar, they will solidify as they sit.

I tried adding 1/2 C butterscotch chips to this batch. I did like it--I think you could add white chocolate, nuts, peanut butter chips, etc. and see how you like it best. After doing the butterscotch with the chocolate I'm thinking I'll just stick with cholate chips next time. It wasn't bad--but I tasted that more than the chocolate this time.