Classic Blondies Recipe
If you have a sweet tooth and love a rich, buttery treat, you’re going to adore this Classic Blondies Recipe. These golden, chewy squares have the perfect balance of brown sugar caramel warmth and a soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. Whether you keep them simple or toss in some chocolate chips and nuts, these blondies are an easy, downright irresistible dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Trust me, once you bake this batch, it’ll quickly become your go-to recipe for cozy afternoons and celebrations alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Classic Blondies Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are. Each one plays a special role, whether it’s contributing to the luscious texture, buttery flavor, or delightful sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup/2 sticks, melted and slightly cooled): Gives your blondies that rich, creamy base and tender crumb.
- Light brown sugar (1 1/2 cups, packed): Adds deep caramel notes and keeps the blondies moist and chewy.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together for structure and softness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Elevates the flavor with a sweet, aromatic warmth.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The main dry ingredient that creates that classic blondie thickness.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a gentle lift ensuring your blondies aren’t dense or tough.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup, optional): For a melty hit of chocolate in every bite if you want to jazz things up.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (1/2 cup, optional): Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
How to Make Classic Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease it. This prep ensures your blondies come out cleanly without sticking, making cutting and serving a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until perfectly smooth. This step is where you start to build that signature caramel flavor and creamy texture that makes classic blondies so delicious.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined. The eggs enrich the mixture and the vanilla boosts that sweet, comforting aroma we all crave.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Stir in the salt, all-purpose flour, and baking powder just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix here; you want to keep the batter tender so your blondies stay chewy and soft.
Step 5: Fold in Optional Mix-ins
Add your chocolate chips and chopped nuts if you’re using them. These little extras provide bursts of flavor and texture that make the blondies even more delightful, but feel free to skip for a pure classic.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remember, underbaking slightly will keep your blondies extra chewy.
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Let the blondies cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This wait makes sure each piece holds together beautifully and lets the flavors fully develop.
How to Serve Classic Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
Classic Blondies taste fantastic as is, but you can dress them up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for an elegant finish. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a wonderful contrast to the sweetness too.
Side Dishes
Serve these blondies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert. Fresh berries or a cup of rich coffee also make lovely companions to balance the sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut your blondies into bite-sized bars and serve them on a dessert platter for parties, or sandwich them with peanut butter or cream cheese frosting. They’re also fantastic layered at the bottom of a trifle or alongside fresh fruit and yogurt for a brunch treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them soft and moist. If you want to keep them a bit longer, the fridge will extend their life up to a week but may firm them slightly.
Freezing
Blondies freeze beautifully. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To revive refrigerated or thawed blondies, warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This will soften them and bring back that fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I make blondies without nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! The Classic Blondies Recipe is delicious on its own, and simply omitting the nuts and chocolate chips will give you a pure buttery, caramel-flavored blondie with a lovely chewy texture.
How can I make my blondies more chewy?
To boost chewiness, slightly underbake the blondies and make sure to let them cool completely before slicing. Using melted butter and brown sugar, as this recipe calls for, also helps create that perfect chewiness.
What’s the best way to cut blondies without them crumbling?
Make sure your blondies are fully cooled before cutting. Using a sharp knife and wiping it clean between cuts prevents crumbling and keeps each square neat.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
This recipe uses only light brown sugar for its rich, molasses flavor that defines classic blondies. Using white sugar would change the texture and sweetness, so sticking to brown sugar is best here.
Are blondies gluten-free?
The Classic Blondies Recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make gluten-free blondies, you’d need to substitute with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking and adjust liquids as needed.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and joyful about biting into a perfectly baked blondie, and this Classic Blondies Recipe delivers that every single time. Whether you’re making it for yourself, sharing with friends, or bringing to a get-together, it’s a hit that feels like home. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover all the delicious possibilities it brings to your dessert table!
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Classic Blondies Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic blondies are rich, chewy dessert bars featuring a buttery, brown sugar base complemented by the warm flavors of vanilla and optional chocolate chips or nuts. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these blondies are a delightful American treat that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a rich batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Stir in the salt, all-purpose flour, and baking powder just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the blondies.
- Fold in Optional Ingredients: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts if you are using them, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into 16 squares for serving.
Notes
- For chewier blondies, slightly underbake them and allow to cool fully.
- You can omit chocolate chips or nuts for a classic plain blondie.
- Try swapping chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a different flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American