Brown Butter Blondies

Brown Butter Blondies are a luxurious twist on the classic blondie bar, offering deep caramel notes, chewy texture, and rich flavor thanks to the magic of browned butter. These golden squares are soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and bursting with buttery warmth and sweetness.

They’re simple to make yet taste gourmet — the perfect combination for home bakers who want big flavor without complicated steps.

The aroma of browned butter alone makes this dessert irresistible. Once baked, each bite delivers nutty, caramel-like richness, enhanced with vanilla and your choice of tasty mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or sea salt.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it offers the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. While the recipe uses everyday ingredients, browning the butter takes the flavor to an entirely different level. The process is easy yet transformative — and once you try it, regular blondies won’t feel the same again!

These blondies are also endlessly customizable. Add chocolate chips for sweetness, toasted walnuts for crunch, or drizzle with caramel for extra decadence. They’re delicious warm, chilled, or even straight from the freezer — making them perfect for make-ahead treats or party platters.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dessert

• Incredibly flavorful with minimal effort
• Perfect texture: chewy, soft, and slightly crisp
• Customizable with endless mix-ins
• Crowd-pleasing and beginner-friendly

If you’re new to browned butter baking, this recipe is the perfect place to start — and you’ll instantly fall in love.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 22–25 minutes
• Total Time: 35–40 minutes
• Servings: 12 blondies
• Calories (per serving): ~220–260 calories (varies with add-ins)
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Optional Mix-ins

• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup white chocolate chunks
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Sea salt flakes for topping

Directions Overview

1. Brown the butter.
2. Whisk together brown sugar and the browned butter.
3. Add egg and vanilla, then fold in dry ingredients.
4. Stir in mix-ins and bake until golden.
5. Cool, slice, and enjoy.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Brown the Butter

1. Add butter to a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Let it melt and continue cooking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5–7 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together browned butter and brown sugar until smooth.
2. Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

1. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and gently fold until combined.
3. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts, if using.

Step 4: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Spread batter evenly and sprinkle sea salt or extra chips on top.
4. Bake 22–25 minutes, or until top is golden and edges are set (center should still be slightly soft).

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let cool fully in the pan before cutting into squares.

How to Serve

Serve blondies:

• Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• With caramel or chocolate drizzle
• Alongside coffee or tea
• Chilled for a firmer texture

They taste great at room temperature or straight from the fridge.

Recipe Tips

• Do not overbake — blondies dry out quickly; the center should be soft.
• Allow browned butter to cool slightly before adding egg to avoid scrambling.
• For chewier blondies, use dark brown sugar.
• Chilling before slicing creates cleaner edges.

Variations

• Chocolate Chunk Blondies: Use dark, milk, and white chocolate for variety.
• Nut Lover’s Blondies: Add pecans, walnuts, or almonds (toast for extra flavor).
• Salted Caramel Blondies: Swirl caramel before baking and top with flaky salt.
• Espresso Blondies: Add ½–1 tsp instant espresso powder to enhance flavor.
• Peanut Butter Blondies: Add peanut butter chips or swirl peanut butter into batter.

Freezing & Storage

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Refrigerator: Lasts up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped blondies for up to 3 months.
• Thaw at room temperature or microwave 10–15 seconds to soften.

Special Equipment Needed

• 8×8-inch baking pan
• Small saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or hand mixer
• Parchment paper

FAQ

1. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — bake in a 9×13 pan for 25–30 minutes.

2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

3. Why are my blondies dry?
They were likely overbaked — check them at the earliest baking time.

4. Can I make it egg-free?
Yes — substitute with 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce or 1 flax egg.

Conclusion

Brown Butter Blondies are everything you want in a dessert: chewy, rich, deeply flavored, and incredibly easy to make. Browning the butter adds a gourmet twist that transforms a simple recipe into something unforgettable. Whether you bake them for a special gathering or a cozy evening treat, these blondies are guaranteed to become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection.