Blondies with caramelized nuts

Blondies with caramelized nuts

INGREDIENTS
Caramelized walnuts:
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup of packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of melted butter
Blondies:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup softened butter
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon of vanilla
Cream cheese icing:
1/2 package of softened cream cheese (half a pack of 8 oz / 250 g)
1 tablespoon softened butter
1 1/4 cup icing sugar
3 tablespoons of packed brown sugar


PREPARATION
Preparation of walnuts
1. In a bowl, mix the walnuts, brown sugar and butter. Spread the nut mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 ° F (190 ° C) for 10 minutes or until nuts are golden and the coating is bubbling. Stir while still hot, lay in a single layer and let cool. Break the pieces stuck together. Book.

Preparation of squares
2. In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Book. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter with brown sugar until mixture is light and puffy. Add eggs one by one, beating, then vanilla. When beating at low speed, incorporate the reserved dry ingredients in half until the dough is smooth. Using a wooden spoon, incorporate the reserved walnuts by gently lifting the mass. Line a 13 "x 9" (33 cm x 23 cm) parchment paper with the top left, then pour the dough into the pan. Smooth the top.

3. Bake at 325 ° F (160 ° C) for 35 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the centre of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs. Place the pan on a rack and let cool completely.

Preparation of icing
4. In the large bowl, using the electric mixer (use clean whisks) beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Stir in icing sugar and brown sugar, beating until frosting is smooth. Spread the icing on the cooled cake. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or until frosting has set. Unmould by lifting the parchment paper and cut into squares. (The squares will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.)


A good thing
To make the caramelized walnuts of these golden brownies, it is important to stir the nuts while they are still hot to prevent them from sticking together.