makes 12 bars
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup walnuts, chopped
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9"x13" (or 8"x12"x2") baking pan with cooking spray, then line it with a piece of parchment paper. (Leave an overhang at both ends so that you can pull the blondies out of the pan after they are baked.)
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy -- about 3-4 minutes.
4. On low speed, stir in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time.
5. Stir in the flour mixture on low speed.
6. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth out the top of the batter with a rubber spatula.
8. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the blondies may not come out clean; but the center of the blondies should be set and shouldn't jiggle at all when the pan is lightly shaken.
9. Remove the blondies from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting into squares.