Blondie Brownies

These are supposed to be a knock-off from the famous dessert recipe at Applebee's!

2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 pinches baking soda
2 pinches salt
1 C. chopped walnuts
2/3 C. melted unsalted butter
2 2/3 C. packed brown sugar- divided
2 eggs beaten
2 T. vanilla
1 C. vanilla baking chips
1/2 C. unsalted butter
1/2 C. maple syrup
2- 8oz. cream cheese
1 tsp. maple extract

Stir together flour, baking powder and soda, and salt; stir in nuts.
With mixer, beat together melted butter and 2 C. brown sugar.
Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Slowly beat dry mixture into wet mixture.
Stir in vanilla chips by hand.

Spread batter into greased 9 x 13 pan.
Bake @ 350* for 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.

In saucepan over low, melt remaining 1/2. butter and maple syrup. Stir in remaining 2/3 C. brown sugar until dissolves.
Remove saucepan from heat and beat in cream cheese and maple extract until smooth.
Return to heat and simmer over low, stirring constantly until desired consistency.

Serve sauce over warm blondies topped with vanilla ice cream.

{LDM}