Brown Butter Banana Yogurt Chocolate Chip Blondies

I took a poetry workshop this semester. I did it because I've been writing poetry since, like, 4th grade. Really terrible poetry, obviously. But since my mom believes in me and all that gushy stuff, she really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and do it for real. And let me tell you, it has been an amazing experience. Every Tuesday morning has been completely anxiety-ridden (because I have to read aloud to the class!) but it's been absolutely worth it. I have grown so much as a writer and person.

We had an end of the year little party for our last class, so I decided to bake, obviously.

I know what you're thinking. What the heck is 'yogurt' doing in that title? Yogurt doesn't go in blondies! It doesn't go with brown butter! Well, maybe conventionally not. And maybe I won't intentionally do it again. But I promise it worked, was gooey and well-liked by all. So there. (Also I may or may not have come up with this recipe solely because I didn't have eggs and needed to bake something.)

Anyway, it's the end of the year! That's right, I'm (almost) officially done with my freshman year. It's our version of finals week right now, also known as 'conference week' because we have super long research papers instead of finals. Except me, because I also have a final exam in Human Rights Law. Wooooo.

(Have you noticed I always do recipes with bananas when I'm stressed? Or maybe it's just because bananas are easy to acquire at college and college is a place of stress. Mash mash mash it out.)

Brown Butter Banana Yogurt Chocolate Chip Blondies
8 tbs. unsalted butter, melted and browned
1 banana
1 cup brown sugar (unpacked)
6 oz. full-fat yogurt (I used coconut)
1/2 tsp. oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup, plus 2 tbs. all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. salt
⅔ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 8-by-8-inch square brownie pan. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the unsalted butter. Simmer until brown and nutty, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly before using. In a large bowl, mash the banana. Whisk in the brown sugar and oil until smooth. Add the slightly cooled brown butter, whisk to combine. Whisk in yogurt and vanilla extract until incorporated. Stir in flour and salt until just incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer the mixture to the prepared brownie pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.