Brown Butter Blondies

Every home baker has that one knock-your-socks-off recipe that is requested time and time again. That unforgettable sweet treat that everyone asks for at dinner parties, neighborhood potlucks, backyard bbq’s and A-L-L of the holiday shindigs. It’s that one thing that nobody does better and they’ve stopped trying.

So what’s MY thing, you ask? For a long stretch there, it was toffee. For years, I was known as “the toffee lady” and I’d happily tote boxes of chocolate covered almond toffee all around town like some kind of, well…..toffee lady. Toffee was my jam and I was proud of it. Fast forward a decade and my family is lucky to see the sweet stuff once a year at Christmas. Once I sold the biz, all I wanted to do was bake ANYTHING other than toffee!

Blondies, as it turns out, are just as addictive as toffee and a whole lot faster to make. Browning the butter first makes them ever so slightly nutty with an unexpected richness and depth of flavor that makes this one pan wonder a serious crowd pleaser. I’ve been sharing these Brown Butter Blondies with everyone I know for nearly a decade and they are by far my most requested dessert. And that’s the (short) story of how my blog, Browned Butter Blondie, began.

What makes these blondies so good?

These bars are not only easy to make, but they’re delicious to eat AND they feed a crowd nicely. I give them extra bonus points for freezing well and I love that you can make them plain or with mix-ins to suit your fancy. Here’s a few reasons why everyone loves these blondies:

Flavor. These blondies have a rich, buttery, caramel flavor that will keep you coming back for more. Proof positive that brown butter truly makes everything better. And the extra vanilla really makes these blondies shine!

Texture. They bake up chewy and fudgy with paper thin, crackly tops reminiscent of your favorite brownie. Served warm from the oven or topped with ice cream, these blondies never disappoint!

Easy to make. These blondies are stupid-easy to make and you won’t need any fancy ingredients – or fancy equipment. I’m almost embarrassed to admit on the internet how many times I’ve made these blondies. They’re a simple last minute treat perfect for all occasions!

Customizable. Think of this blondie recipe as a template. You can play around with any combination of chocolate chips or omit the chocolate altogether and add in nuts or dried fruit. Serve with ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce – the possibilities are endless!

How to make brown butter blondies

To make these blondies, we start by browning the butter. This step takes just 5 extra minutes and it’s 100% worth it! Follow the easy steps below and check the recipe card for the ingredient list and detailed instructions.

Step 1: Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium low heat.

Step 2: After about 3 to 4 minutes, it will begin to crackle and pop and a foam will form on the top of the pan. Continue stirring until the spattering stops. You’ll begin to see small bits of brown milk solids fall to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Continue stirring as the butter browns, being careful not to let it burn. The butter will smell nutty and aromatic. Heat until the color is a rich, amber brown.

Step 4: Remove the pan from the heat and pour the butter into a large bowl, being sure to scrape all of the brown bits into the bowl along with the liquid. Set aside to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 5: Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the bowl of brown butter and whisk together until the sugar is fully coated, about 1 minute.

Step 6: Add the eggs and vanilla. Whisk for an additional minute until smooth and glossy.

Step 7: Add the flour and salt to the bowl.

Step 8: Use a large spatula or wooden spoon to fold in the dry ingredients. Stop when a few streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.

Step 9: Add the chocolate chips. Fold into the dough using a spatula, again being careful not to overmix.

Step 10: Transfer the dough to an 8 x 8 pan lined with parchment paper. Top with additional chocolate chips if desired.

Step 11: Bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The blondies should not jiggle when you move the pan. Remove from the oven and cool completely before slicing into squares.

Tips for the best blondies

Follow these tips and tricks for the best blondies ever!

It’s all about the butter! Sure, you could speed things up and pass on the brown butter, but it’s a real game-changer so stick to the recipe. Browning the butter takes just 5 extra minutes and it’s 100% worth it.

Do not over mix. Blondie dough should not be stirred too much. For best results, use a light hand and do not overmix. Once the flour has been added, only stir until barely incorporated.

Don’t hold back on the chocolate chips. For maximum ooey gooey goodness, don’t hold back on the chocolate chips. I like to add small semi sweet chocolate chips and jumbo bittersweet chocolate chips to my blondies…but you do you! For an extra gooey texture, mix the dough together while the brown butter is still warm. The chocolate will melt and swirl into the dough. omg…sooooo good!

Do not overbake. No one, and I mean no one, likes a dry, over baked blondie. Be sure to keep an eye on the oven and start checking for doneness around 23 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and the center of the blondies should be set. The blondies will continue to bake once you pull them from the oven so do not overbake.

Variations

These blondies are always a hit when I make them with chocolate chips, but honestly, it’s tough to think of a mix-in that wouldn’t work here. This recipe is super adaptable to whatever craving you’re having in the moment. Here’s a few of my favorite add-ins:

• Mini peanut butter cups
• M&M candies
• Walnuts or pecans
• Butterscotch chips
• Crushed Oreos
• Coconut and macadamia nuts
• Dried fruit

Happy blondie baking!

If you like these Brown Butter Blondies, you’ll also love:

• The Best Brown Butter Brownies
• Brown Butter Brookies
• Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
• Peanut Butter S’mores Bars
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars