These indulgent blondies are gooey, full of pecans, and have a delightful hint of bourbon.
As I reread this recipe and noticed the note, I knew exactly when this recipe originally published: March 2020. That is why I shared that I currently worked at home; we were in the early days of the Covid pandemic. I thought about removing the note, but I think it’s a good time stamp. These gooey pecan and bourbon blondies are a delicious, pre-Covid memory.
If you want a treat that is utterly indulgent, you have to give this recipe a try. (Bonus: although indulgent, the recipe is pretty simple.)
The original post from March 2020
Note: I test recipes weeks before I publish them. In the current world, my workouts are at home and my recipe testing crew is just my hubby and me.
You know what’s tricky about living in a new place? Finding people to sample my food. I’ve thought about bringing them to the gym where I workout, as I’ve been there everyday for two months, but I’m not sure how people would feel about it. Do people working out at a gym want indulgent desserts? I may have to ask.
However, I have found a few other options. Many mornings of the week my husband goes to morning training at Oaklawn to meet with our trainers and watch our horses work. I have learned that the trainers and staff are glad to sample desserts.
Another option, although it takes longer, is to mail batches to my kids. Last week’s Adults Only Margarita Cookies were sent to my daughter in Canada. (Happily they got fully positive reviews from her and her roommates!) This bar cookie was brought on a road trip to see our son in Alabama. Yes, as long as it’s a shippable/transportable recipe, I’ve got volunteers at the ready.
Conveniently our visit with our son was for an occasion that brought in a number of people, so I had many guinea pigs. The thoughts on these bars? Irresistible. At a small gathering, I noticed a couple people go to the plate and grab a bar. Many of them came back for a second and third.
One thing to know about these blondies is that although the recipe is fairly simple, the bars themselves are pretty intense. I almost would call them a tribute to butter and sugar. Their gooey nature is owed to the amount of butter and sugar used, so don’t think about reducing either. These blondies are meant to be and achieve the goal of being an indulgent dessert.
Just writing about these blondies makes me wish there were still a couple lurking in the pantry. Also, writing about going to the gym reminds me that eating desserts in moderation is a good thing.
So, make a batch. Keep some for you, and share a bunch of them with friends and family!
Gooey Pecan & Bourbon Blondies
Ingredients
- 1-3/4 cups pecans
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Butter and flour the sides and bottom of a 13” x 9” pan.
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Place pecans on a baking sheet, and bake for 8 minutes in oven.
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While pecans bake, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat.
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When butter is melted, remove pot from heat to cool.
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Remove pecans from oven, and allow to cool; leave oven on.
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Chop pecans once they are cool.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine melted butter and brown sugar, mixing on speed 2 with paddle attachment until combined.
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Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
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Add bourbon, mixing briefly.
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Add flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir just until combined.
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Add pecans, stirring briefly.
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Transfer blondie dough to prepared pan, spreading evenly.
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Bake for 25 minutes or until baked through and edges are golden brown.
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Cool before serving.
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