– 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional, for a sweeter, butterscotch flavor)
Instructions
**Preheat the Oven:** Preheat to 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
**Brown the Butter:** In a small saucepan on medium heat, brown the butter. Stir constantly to ensure no brown bits at the bottom burn. The butter should smell nutty, no longer be foamy, and be light brown. As soon as it reaches this stage, scrape it into a bowl and let it cool for 10 minutes.
**Mix Wet Ingredients:** Add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract (and almond extract if using) to the browned butter. Whisk together until smooth.
**Add Dry Ingredients:** Once the mixture is smooth, fold in the flour and salt. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and toffee bits, reserving some for the top.
**Bake:** Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges just start to pull away and the center is no longer jiggly but still soft.
**Cool and Cut:** Let the blondies cool in the pan, then cut into squares. Enjoy!
