Coconut Blondies

By Leite's Culinaria

Ingredients

1 stick (4 oz) butter (softened)
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs (beaten)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded coconut ((sweetened or unsweetened, it's up to you))
1 cup walnut pieces ((optional))

Prep Time15mins
Cook Time20mins
Servings16

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and just 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the flour.

Press the mixture into an unbuttered 8-inch square pan.

In another bowl, combine the eggs, salt, vanilla, and the remaining brown sugar and mix well. Stir in the coconut and walnuts, if using, and pour the mixture on top of the crust, smoothing the surface so it's even.

Bake for 25 to 29 minutes, until the top is a rather rich shade of golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

Place the pan on a wire rack and let the mass of coconutty goodness cool slightly before slicing it into 16 two-inch squares. (We mean what we say about letting them cool somewhat. If you try to slice the bars while they're still too warm, you'll have a gooey mess on your hands.) You know what to do from here.