Cardamom-Brown Butter Blondies: If a Chai Latte and Snickerdoodle Cookie Fell In Love

 For brown butter, in a medium skillet heat the 11/4 cups butter over medium-low until melted. Simmer, stirring or swirling the skillet occasionally, until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, extending parchment over edges of pan. 

Pour 1 cup of the brown butter into a large bowl, spooning about two-thirds of the browned bits in bottom of skillet into the bowl. Whisk in brown sugar, eggs, molasses, 1 Tbsp. vanilla, and 1 tsp. kosher salt. 

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, 1/2 tsp. of the cardamom, the baking powder, and baking soda. Add chocolate chips; toss until coated. Stir flour mixture into brown sugar mixture. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, for caramel, in a deep, heavy saucepan combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring, over medium-high until sugar dissolves and comes to boiling, 5 minutes. Continue boiling, swirling pan to promote even browning without stirring, until mixture is pecan brown, 13 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup cream, the cut-up butter, 1/2 tsp. of the vanilla, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp. of the cardamom until butter melts. (You’ll have about 1 1/4 cups caramel. Refrigerate extra in an airtight container up to 3 weeks. To warm, microwave on 50% power 45 seconds.)

For icing, rewarm remaining brown butter (about 2 Tbsp.) in the skillet just until melted. Whisk in powdered sugar, a pinch kosher salt, and the remaining 1 Tbsp. cream, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1/4 tsp. cardamom until smooth. If necessary, add more cream, 1 tsp. at a time, to reach a spreadable consistency. 

Spread warm blondies with icing and about 1/4 cup of the caramel. Cool completely. Use parchment to lift uncut bars out of pan; cut into bars.