EARL GREY BLONDIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides; coat the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Pulse the brown sugar, granulated sugar and tea in a food processor until the tea leaves are finely chopped into a fine powder and evenly dispersed. Set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until brown flecks appear, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the sugar-tea mixture and the maple syrup. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
• Fold the brown butter-egg mixture into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula, then fold in the chocolate chips. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan.
• Lift the blondies out of the pan using the foil overhang; discard the foil. Cut into small squares and serve.