Toasted-Pecan Blondies

Preheat the oven to 350 ° F and butter an 8-inch square pan. Place the pecans in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and browned, about 6 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice. Transfer the pecans to a cutting board, let them cool slightly, then slice.In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix until smooth. Add the pecans. Spread the dough evenly over the baking dish. Bake until the dough inserted in the middle comes out clean, 22 to 24 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.