Years ago, while living in Arizona, I worked for a woman who declared that she could make a man do (just about) anything if she gave him a plate of her blonde brownies. Don’t know about that, but they were good.  Mix the dry ingredients in these blondies ahead, seal in a jar and keep for that emergency dessert situation.

Blondies in a Jar

2 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or butterscotch chips, if preferred
1 cup walnuts, chopped
2/3 cup butter
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method for putting jar: Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and spoon the mixture into a 1-quart jar. Layer on the brown sugar. Top with the chocolate chips (or butterscotch, if you prefer) and the walnuts. Put lid on the jar and put in a cool, dry place.

To make the Blondies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside. In the microwave, melt the butter. In a medium bowl, pour out the mixture from the jar. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat melted butter, eggs and vanilla, mixing until batter is smooth. On low speed, gradually mix in the flour mixture. Batter will be very stiff.  Spread the batter in the baking pan, smoothing it into the corners. Bake 25 minutes or until the blondies begin pulling away from the sides of the pan. Let cool to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

Makes about 24

Adapted from www.christmas-cookies.com