March 2008

Blonde Brownies Ala Mode with Maple Cream Sauce

Brownies

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 ½ cup chopped pecans

Maple Cream Sauce

• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 T. butter
• ¼ cup evaporated milk
• Vanilla ice cream
• Chopped pecans

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar, add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt, gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in pecans. Spread into greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. For sauce, combine syrup and butter in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in milk. Cut brownies into squares, cut in half if desired. Place on dessert plates with a scoop of ice cream. Top with sauce, sprinkle with pecans.

Yield 20 servings.