Pecans are among Scott’s most favourite things to eat. Ever.
I can’t say I really share this love of these particular nuts, but I indulge him every so often by making something with them in or substituting them for other types of nuts. Or, you know, ordering a shared dessert which features mainly pecans or pecan-flavoured ice cream. I’m a great girlfriend.
But when it comes to his birthday and what he wants to eat, I make anything he wants (providing I want to eat it too! Being the chef has to have some perks…) His two favourite ingredients in anything are pecans and vanilla. So they were obviously going to have to play a big part in the dessert. He also has a love of white chocolate and anything gooey.
Enter these wonderful white chocolate blondies featuring everything both of us could ever want to eat: caramelized crunchy pecans, white chocolate chunks and chewy blondies.
I am not lying when I say that Scott took one bite of these and said they were perhaps the best thing he’d ever eaten in his life.
I couldn’t agree more.
I topped them with some of the extra caramelized pecans, which were so sweet and delicious to eat on their own. Who could resist something that looks so good when it’s in the pan?
Caramelized Pecan and White Chocolate Blondies
9
servings20
minutes20
minutesIngredients
- For the caramelized pecans
1/2 cup (109g) pecans
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tbsp maple or golden syrup
1/2 tbsp butter
- For the blondies
8 tbsp (113g) butter, melted
1 cup (218g) brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 cup (218g) flour
1/2 cup white chocolate (chips or cut into small pieces)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a square baking tray with baking paper or grease the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
- Firstly make the pecans by placing the brown sugar, syrup and butter in a non-stick pan on a medium-high heat. Stir the mixture until melted and it starts to bubble.
- Once bubbling, add the pecans to the pan and stir to coat. Continue cooking for around 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the nuts turn golden brown and smell like they are toasted.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a sheet of foil or baking paper and allow to cool completely.
- While the pecans are cooling, begin with the blondies. Mix the melted butter with the brown sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- Add the pinch of salt and stir in the flour.
- Add the chocolate chunks and stir well. Chop the caramelized pecans into small pieces and add them to the dough, combining well as before.
- Tip the dough into the greased baking tray and bake for around 20-25 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Do not overbake – the blondies will continue baking for a short while after being removed from the oven.
- Allow to cool and then cut into squares.
I love blondies, and adding caramelized pecans to them makes so much sense! What a delicious addition!
They really were delicious! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Sold! I love pecans… and white chocolate and, well blondies. Great recipe Julia!
Thanks Laurie! This recipe’s definitely a keeper 😉
Done and done!