Butterscotch Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter , melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (dark brown sugar yields a deeper molasses flavor)
• 1 large egg (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips (plus an extra tablespoon reserved for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

1. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Preheating ensures the batter begins baking immediately for a better texture and rise.
2. Line your baking pan (a 6-inch round cake pan or a small square pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket) with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This makes it effortless to lift the finished brownies out of the pan once cooled. Lightly grease the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and the packed brown sugar . Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps of sugar remain.
2. Add the large egg and the pure vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk continuously for about 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture becomes slightly pale, glossy, and emulsified. This step is crucial for achieving that signature crinkly, shiny top layer on your brownies.

Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients

1. Switch to a rubber spatula. Add the all-purpose flour , baking powder , and salt directly into the wet mixture.
2. Gently fold the ingredients together using a scraping and turning motion just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix , as overworking the batter can lead to tough brownies rather than a tender, fudgy crumb.
3. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips , distributing them evenly throughout the thick batter.

Step 4: Transfer and Top

1. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, using your spatula to smooth out the top into an even layer.
2. Sprinkle the reserved tablespoon of butterscotch chips across the surface of the batter so they bake into a gorgeous, melty finish on top.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

1. Carefully place the baking pan into the preheated air fryer basket.
2. Cook at 320°F (160°C) for 20 to 25 minutes .
3. Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the center of the brownies. It should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. If the top begins to brown too quickly before the center is cooked, loosely tent a small piece of aluminum foil over the top of the pan for the remaining cooking time.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

1. Remove the pan from the air fryer and place it on a wire cooling rack. Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan for at least 15 minutes . They will continue to set as they cool down.
2. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the butterscotch brownies out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Slice into squares using a sharp knife and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 245 kcal · Protein: 2g · Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 7g · Carbohydrates: 34g Dietary · Saturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 35mg · Fiber: 0.5g · Sugar: 24g · Sodium: 115mg