Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 6- to 8-inch square baking pan.

Sift the flour with the baking soda and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper. Scrape the vanilla beans and reserve the pods and scrapings.

Place the vanilla and the butter in a small saucepan and heat until melted. Beat the egg with the brown sugar at medium-high speed until it resembles very loose meringue, about 3 minutes, then add melted butter.

Reduce the speed, then add the flour and mix until not quite incorporated. Add the nuts and chopped chocolate; fold until well blended. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.

Bake until the top is dry and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges nearly dry, about 30 minutes.

This recipe yields 15 bars.

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