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Blondies

These homemade blondies are rich, buttery, and chewy — the perfect treat for Game Day, birthday parties, and potlucks. They keep for several days and freeze like a dream.

Garrett McCord
Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.
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Garrett McCord
Updated February 12, 2020
Garrett McCord
Best blondies ready to eat on a plate
Elise Bauer

Featured in 15 Homemade Sweet Treats for your Easter Basket

Blondies are often called brownies without chocolate, which I find silly. Blondies are a dessert with their own unique deliciousness and personality.

This is my "go-to" dessert recipe since it only takes about 5 minutes to make and then throw in the oven. I can't count how many times I dashed this together so that last second company could arrive to a freshly baked treat.

Blondies Are All About Brown Sugar

Whereas brownies depend on chocolate for their flavor, for blondies it's all about the brown sugar. This gives the blondies their distinctive molasses flavor.

Since brown sugar is the critical flavor here, I suggest using dark brown sugar. This said, using light brown sugar is also fine

Chewy, rich, and flavorful blondies, when made right, are an indulgent dessert that are hard to resist.

Homemade blondie bars on a plate
Elise Bauer

Suggestions and Substitutions for Blondies

Since we first posted this recipe, so many of you have written in with your own suggestions and substitutions. Thank you! Here are a few favorites:

  • Swap the butterscotch chips for chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips
  • Add chopped walnuts (traditional) or any other chopped nut
  • Add a tablespoon of orange zest
  • Add some coffee extract or some powdered coffee
  • Add a half teaspoon of cinnamon
  • For softer, more cake-like bars, use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour
  • Top with caramel icing for an extra treat

Small Batch Is Best!

This recipe only makes a small batch in an 8x8-inch pan, so you don’t have to worry about being tempted by dozens of tasty treats lying in wait for you.

If you'd like to make more blondies, double the recipe and bake in a 9x13-inch pan. Extend the baking time to 25 to 30 minutes.

Bake the blondies until set
Elise Bauer

How to Store and Freeze Blondies

Once cool, store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for about a week.

To freeze, wrap the sliced blondies in plastic wrap, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature.

Try These Other Great Bar Cookies!

Blondies

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Yields 9 to 16 Blondies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick, 112 g) butter, melted
  • 1 cup (220 g) tightly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup (128 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (60 g) butterscotch chips (chopped walnuts and chocolate chips are equally tasty)

Method

  1. Preheat oven and prepare baking dish:

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter and flour an 8x8-inch pan (20 cm x 20 cm).

  2. Make the batter:

    Whisk together the melted butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk.

    Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mix it all together. Add the butterscotch chips or other mix-ins.

    Whisk the egg into the blondie batter
    Elise Bauer
    Stir the flour into the blondie batter
    Elise Bauer
    Add butterscotch chips to the blondie batter
    Elise Bauer
  3. Bake the blondies:

    Pour into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

    Transfer the blondie batter to an 8x8 pan
    Elise Bauer
    Bake the blondies until set
    Elise Bauer
  4. Cool and serve:

    Allow to cool. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

    LEFTOVERS! Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.