Maple Bacon Blondies

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease a 9×13 glass baking dish.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoons of salt, mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on high for at least two minutes until well combined and mixture is light and fluffy. Add the oil and honey and mix well. Add the flour, mixing on low until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is a golden brown, edges are a dark brown and pulling away from the pan. Allow to cool.

Place 6 strips of bacon on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 350F for 30 minutes or until bacon is cooked, darkened and crisp.

Make the sauce: In a pot over high heat, add the remaining brown sugar and the cream. Stir until the sugar has melted and the mixture starts to boil. Using a candy thermometer, allow to mixture to boil undisturbed until the temperature reaches 210F, about 7-10 minutes. Then remove the pot from the heat and add the 3 Tablespoons of butter and the vanilla, stir until combined. Allow to cool (20 minutes).

Pour the maple sauce over the Blondies. Chop the bacon and place in a small bowl, add the pecans and salt and mix. Sprinkle the bacon pecan mixture over the maple sauce. Refrigerate until maple has cooled and set.