Blondies
Blondies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves the chewy goodness of brownies but wants to switch things up a bit. Light, sweet, and filled with flavor, these dessert bars are sure to impress both friends and family. The combination of white chocolate, cranberries, and a hint of orange zest makes each bite a delightful experience. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Let’s get started!
What Goes into This Delicious Treat
Here’s everything you’ll need to bake up a batch of these delightful blondies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup (113 g) white chocolate chips
- 1 3/4 cups (350 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 1/2 cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup (160 g) dried cranberries
- 1 cup (160 g) white chocolate chips, melted and divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (94 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup (65 g) dried cranberries, chopped
Directions for Making These Sweet Bars
Get your apron on and let’s bake! Follow these easy steps for making your blondies.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring the paper goes up the sides. This will make it easy to lift the blondies out once they’re baked.
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In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the unsalted butter and white chocolate chips. Melt them together in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth and creamy (this should take about 1-2 minutes total). Once melted, let it cool slightly.
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Add the packed light brown sugar to the melted butter and white chocolate mixture. Stir until well combined.
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Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest until everything is incorporated.
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In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground ginger.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until completely combined. Gently fold in the dried cranberries.
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Spread your batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a golden brown. Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan.
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For the frosting, melt the remaining white chocolate chips in the microwave, again in 20-second intervals, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
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In a mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth. Slowly pour in half of the melted white chocolate, mixing until incorporated. Add the second teaspoon of orange zest and stir until combined.
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Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled blondies. Sprinkle with additional dried cranberries, then drizzle with the remaining melted white chocolate.
How to Serve Blondies
Now that your delicious blondies are ready, it’s time to serve! Cut them into squares or rectangles for easy sharing. These bars can be enjoyed as a sweet snack or dessert at any gathering. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat, or enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They’re also great for holidays or special occasions, bringing a delightful brightness to any dessert table.
Helpful Tricks for Making Blondies
- Chill Your Ingredients: Having your eggs and cream cheese at room temperature makes for a smoother batter and frosting.
- Swap the Mix-Ins: Feel free to get creative! Replace cranberries with dried cherries or nuts for a different flavor profile.
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on your blondies as they bake; they should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out.
Blondies: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make blondies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! They can be baked a day ahead. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh!
Q: What’s the best way to store blondies?
A: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer freshness.
Q: Can I freeze blondies?
A: Yes! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Enjoy making these luscious blondies and watch everyone come back for seconds! With their irresistible combination of flavors, they’re bound to be a hit. Happy baking!
Blondies
Ingredients
For the blondies
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks / 227 g
- 2/3 cup white chocolate chips For the batter
- 1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest For the batter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted and divided
For the cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest For the frosting
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped For topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the unsalted butter and white chocolate chips. Melt together in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes total). Let cool slightly.
- Add the packed light brown sugar and stir until well combined.
- Add the eggs and yolk one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla and orange zest.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined. Fold in the dried cranberries.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Let cool completely in the pan.
Frosting
- Melt the remaining white chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth, set aside to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Slowly incorporate half of the melted white chocolate and the orange zest.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting on the cooled blondies, sprinkle with dried cranberries, and drizzle with the remaining melted white chocolate.
