Ingredients
1 1/2 cups whole pecans
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups light-brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until fragrant, 6 to 7 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter, then dust with flour, tapping out excess. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together butter and 2 cups brown sugar until combined. Add eggs; whisk until combined. Add vanilla and rum. Fold in flour mixture with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix). Fold in half of nuts.
Transfer batter to prepared dish; smooth top with an offset spatula. Sprinkle top with remaining nuts and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Bake until golden around edges and a tester inserted in center comes out with very few crumbs, 22 to 24 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting into squares. Blondies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
