Brown-Butter Toffee Blondies

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup toffee bits

1) Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2) In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the butter until it turns golden brown; remove from heat, and let cool. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
3) In a large mixing bowl, combine browned butter and both sugars; stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add eggs. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla, and beat to combine. Add the flour mixture, walnuts and toffee bits. Mix until thoroughly combined, and pour into prepared pan.
4) Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes (do not overbake). Let cool completely and cut into squares. Blondies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

Review: We had the task of bringing dessert to a family function, with the instructions to not use chocolate as a niece gave it up for Lent. My husband and I pulled out the cookbooks and weighed our options. We looked at cake recipes, pie recipes and bar recipes. We kept finding fault with different flavors and ingredients. Finally, I stumbled across this one and it sounded easy and yummy. However, I had to visit four different stores before I found toffee! All the baking sections offered chocolate covered toffee bits, which was taboo. Walgreens actually sold a bag of old-fashioned toffee candies. I had to unwrap each one and then my husband got to smash them to bits, which he greatly enjoyed. Luckily, all of the hard work paid off as these were DELICIOUS!! The family cleared out 2/3 of the pan this evening. I got to bring home the leftover third, but I doubt it will last. This was deliciously buttery, sweet and chewy. I liked this better than brownies any day!

Adapted from:

http://www.marthastewart.com/350047/brown-butter-toffee-blondies