Brown Sugar Chewies (Pizookie)

I have not been posting any new recipes lately, due to the fact that I have some pounds to shed before summertime. I miss trying new decedent recipes out, so to find a happy medium, I will reserve one day out of the week to try something new, and post about it if it turns out good. I have been eating boring things like chicken, salad, and broccoli, and let's face it, there isn't really a TDF factor in any of those foods. But, every once in a while, if I have been good at watching my calories, I will whip up something to award myself for doing well. So, I made these Brown Sugar Chewies, (that I had seen Paula Dean make on TV) it is kind of like a blonde brownie, except more carmelly, and dense. (It is not cakey which I completely dislike in brownies) I like the fact that the recipe only uses 1/4 c. of butter, and that it didn't make gobs and gobs of leftovers...it was the perfect treat for a sweet tooth craving. Putting the brown sugar into the melted warm butter starts breaking down the brown sugar into a carmel base (YUM). It is best if you let them cool completely, as they are pretty gooey, the flavor is amazing! It was like eating a carmelly cookie. (P.S. - I know carmelly is not really a word...but it best describes what I want to say!) My sister Lana made these, and put vanilla ice cream on top of the slightly warm squares, and it was like The Pizookie from BJ's. Oh the possibilities! I'm going to do white chocolate and macadamia nut when I make these again.

Brown Sugar Chewies (Pizookie)

1/4 c. butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. choc. chips, PB chips, or butterscotch chips (optional), freeze before adding to mixture

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Spray 8 inch-square pan with cooking spray. In a saucepan, melt butter. Turn off the heat, and add brown sugar and stir until it is well incorporated. Stir in 1/2 the egg, and then add the rest of the egg, mixing well. Add vanilla and stir. Add flour, salt and baking powder, and stir well. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until done. When cool, dust the top with powdered sugar. Cut into squares, and serve with vanilla ice cream on top if you want a Pizookie!