Ultra- Butterscotch Brownies

Having to be out the door early today to take my Mom, Gladys, to a doctor's appointment I baked these bars last night, knowing I could take a quick picture and get this posted before I needed to leave. Bar cookies are less labor intensive- no watching and waiting for individual batches to bake- so it sounded perfect considering my busy schedule the past two days.

I found this recipe in my King Arthur All-Purpose Baking Cookbook. I have two King Arthur Cookbooks, and always use their flour for my baking, even though it is a bit more expensive. Over the years I have learned quality ingredients make a difference, so when I can afford to I buy the best. If you have never checked out the King Arthur Flour website I suggest you do- it is a baker's paradise!! They also carry many mixes for everything from cakes and cookies to scones and pizza crust. Check them out at www.kingarthurflour.com.

These bars, as you can see by the photo, are rich and chewy, intensely butterscotch flavored- delicious with a morning cup of coffee (though you may feel a sugar high immediately after eating!). The addition of the baking chips and the nuts adds great texture, something that makes any cookie better in my estimation!


Ultra- Butterscotch Brownies

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 unbleached all purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 1/2 butterscotch chips
1 1/2 diced walnuts or pecans (I used walnuts)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in a medium sized bowl in the microwave, and mix in the sugar, salt, baking powder,and vanilla. Stir in the flour, then the eggs, one at a time. Stir in 1 cup of the chips and 1 cup of the nuts. Scoop the batter into a lightly greased 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle the remaining chips and nuts over the top of the batter. Bake the brownies for 30-35 minutes, until the top is shiny but the middle is still gooey (though not liquid). Just like a fudge brownie, you don't want to overbake these; underbake a bit for chewiest texture. Remove them from the oven and cool completely before cutting.