CHOCK-FULL BLONDIE SQUARES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. Butter and flour baking pan, knocking out excess flour.
• Pour boiling-hot water over dried fruit in a small bowl and soak 20 minutes, then drain well in a sieve.
• Stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in another bowl.
• Beat together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Mix in dried fruit, almonds, and chocolate.
• Spread batter evenly in baking pan and bake until golden brown and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack. Run a thin knife around edges of pan to loosen blondie, then cut blondie into roughly 3-inch squares.