These are for my best pal. (And you too.) She moved to Louisiana. And she needs a treat. Her husband just started a new job which is fantastic, except that I'm picturing her on her own now with her 1 1/2 year old in a city where she doesn't know a ton of people yet.
If she were here, I would bring over a plate of these and we'd sit on the back porch commiserating about the whip lash effect of having a partner in the film industry. (It's all or nothing, Man.)
These bars are salty sweet (which she recently requested) with a nice chewy texture. Plus they're easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and the pecans are, of course, a friendly nod to her (hopefully temporary!) home state.
They were a total hit at the park the other day with moms and kids alike, and I'm thinking will maybe be new-pal-makers for her. And you too.
Butterscotch Brownies
Inspired by this recipe.
Makes: 16 2-inch squares
Takes: 40 minutes (15 active)
- 1 cup flour (as per usual, I used half white whole wheat and half all-purpose)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- 3 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoons non-dairy butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon black strap molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces
- Heat the oven to 325 and line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour(s), baking powder, salt, and pecans.
- In a very small bowl, combine the flax and water and set aside to thicken.
- In a large bowl (This is the last bowl! I promise!), whisk together the sugar, molasses, and melted butter to the consistency of wet sand.
- With a fork or your whisk, quickly beat together the flax and water, and add the flax-y goop and vanilla to your wet sand. Beat until smooth-ish.
- Add the dry ingredients to the big bowl and smash the flour into the wet stuff with a rubber spatula.
- Turn the thick batter out into your prepared pan and spread it into the corners.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is set and the edges are barely brown.
- Let cool before cutting into squares.
You are taking these to a picnic this weekend, right? Let me know how they turn out. Or do you prefer a classic, dark, rich, decadent, chewy chocolate brownie?
