Pecan Blondies with Browned Butter Frosting

Bar Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter (do not use margarine)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk

Garnish ingredients (if desired):

• 36 pecan halves

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13'x9' pan. In large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and eggs; blend well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; mix well. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Spread in bottom of greased pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool at least 1 hour.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until light golden brown. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk for desired spreading consistency; blend until smooth. Spread over cooled bars. Arrange pecan halves over frosting . Cut into bars.