Linda’s Brown Sugar Brownies

This is a recipe from an old family friend. Linda was kind of like a second mom to me growing up, since my family lived only a couple of blocks away and I was close friends with her daughter from a very young age. Every year, she makes these amazing brown sugar brownies for their family’s Christmas Eve party, and I finally thought to get the recipe (which originates with her Aunt Mary) from her a couple of weeks ago. This weekend I made a bunch of them and brought them to a few Memorial Day BBQs, much to everyone’s delight. I just need to be careful to not eat too many and get sick! Oh yeah, and they’re incredibly easy to make.

Linda’s Brown Sugar Brownies

INGREDIENTS

1 pound (4 sticks) butter, room temperature. Yes, a POUND of butter.
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
3 cups all purpose flour
1¼ cups pecans, finely chopped
a little granulated sugar

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DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Cream butter and brown sugar.
3. Add flour, salt, and vanilla, mix thoroughly.
4. Spread evenly in a 9½”x15″ glass or aluminum pan.
5. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and granulated sugar. Use a glass to roll over the nuts and sugar so they’re pressed into the dough.
6. Bake at 400°F until slightly risen and lightly brown around edges (around 15-19 minutes).
7. Let cool (dough will not stay risen). When cool, cut into squares and remove from pan with a thin spatula.