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Dark Chocolate Almond Blondies

I don't bake a ton, but when I do....

...it better be REALLY tasty if I'm going to splurge on the calories.  I'm not usually tempted by sweets, but I do keep coming back to the pan for these.  I love the salty sweet contrast, and of course almonds and dark chocolate together.  So good!

Dark Chocolate Almond Blondies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 c. packed brown sugar (light or dark is fine)
1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips (or chunks), divided
1 c. whole almonds, chopped, divided

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.  Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl, set aside.  In mixer bowl, beat together brown sugar, butter and vanilla extract until creamy. Add eggs; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Stir in 3/4 cup chips and 1/2 cup chopped almonds. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining chunks and almonds (I lightly pressed them in).  Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. Cool, cut into squares (they're pretty rich, so smaller is better, for me).  Store tightly covered.
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